178 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ August 19, 1880. 
I fear with much prolixity—my system of foundation-fixing, I 
venture to give an instance of the tenacity of comb foundation 
when well fixed which occurred early in last June in my apiary. 
I was removing some frames of comb filled with honey to make 
room for brood, replacing those taken by foundation. On removal 
of my veil I found that one of the frames was filled with sealed 
brood and not honey, and accordingly I hastened to restore it to 
its place ; but on taking up the frame of foundation which I had 
substituted for it I found it covered with bees, and in a moment 
of thoughtlessness I shook or rather jerked the frame to shake 
them off, with the result of twisting the foundation into the form 
of the letter S without in the least dislocating it from its attach¬ 
ment to the top bar, and by merely flattening it again gave it to 
another hive. 
Now Mr. Cheshire and Mr. Raitt can answer for themselves 
why they have endeavoured “ to strengthen foundation but it 
strikes me that the public craving for novelties on one hand, and 
the desire on the other of some material so prepared as to defy 
careless handling, may have some part in the matter ; but I doubt 
whether either has experienced the failures your correspondent 
alludes to. I conclude by saying that I have had the satisfaction 
this week of having had my apiary inspected by Messrs. Abbott 
and Mr. Carr of Newton Heath, Manchester, who have seen all 
that I have stated as to the safety and perfect comb formation of 
Raitt’s foundation, which is the only one I have written about. 
The above gentlemen have been in Clonmel conducting the bee 
department of the Royal Agricultural Society's Show.— George A. 
Procter, Clerk. 
TENT OF THE BRITISH BEE-KEEPERS’ 
ASSOCIATION AT CLONMEL. 
This was one of the great attractions of the splendid Show just 
concluded here that had immense interest for everyone who knew 
anything of or had bees themselves, and in many instances for 
city folk, who perhaps never saw a colony of bees before, and who 
amused me by their curious questions, the principal of which had 
reference to their stinging propensities. I can readily imagine 
how your correspondent, Mr. Pettigrew, would have chucked over 
some of the queries, or would have enjoyed Mr. Carr’s curious 
expedient for expelling young urchins who peeped in under the 
bee tent by taking a handful of bees and depositing them on 
their heads. Clonmel was to be the first introduction of the bee 
tent in a tour through Ireland from London, but by some curious 
mischance the “ cockneys ” sent in charge went astray, and 
so far neither has turned up ; but Mr. Carr (lecturer) and 
Mr. Abbott (operator) were not to be discouraged, so they pro¬ 
cured stocks from a noted bee man of the locality, and all went 
well. A “ Cyprian queen ” was telegraphed for, and arrived 
in an oblong box attended by some of her satellites, who, we 
understood, fed her on the way. One of the most interesting 
experiments performed, and indeed the principal object of the 
Bee Association, was to show how a colony of bees could be 
removed from a hive and transferred to a new one (or if late in 
the year located and fed with another colony) without having 
recourse to the barbarous custom of “ smothering ” with sulphur. 
This was done by a little smoke introduced among the bees—any 
smoke would do—and the hive gently tapped until the occupants 
moved out into a skep placed over it, or into another hive of the 
present year’s swarming. When asked if the two queens would 
live together he said the stronger would be proclaimed empress, 
and the weaker killed and expelled, After many interesting 
experiments, and showing the fearless way bees may be dealt with, 
the method of extracting honey from the combs, and much valu¬ 
able information, thousands of visitors were deeply interested. 
—W. J. M., Clonmel. 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Lime for Preserving Eggs (IF. P. A.).—The term “ shell,” as applied 
to lime, merely signifies that the lime is not slacked or in a state of powder, but 
is in lumps, and then widely known as shell lime. The “ two shells” of lime 
might be read as two lumps, which of the ordinary size, weighing say about 1 It), 
each, are more than 4 gallons of water can absorb, and twice the quantity 
would not make the lime water any stronger. The recipe we published is of 
proved efficacy. 
Dark Comb (M . B. D ).—The dark colour of the comb is the result of age. 
We presume you do not find the new comb of this season of the same dark 
colour. 
Bees — Various (Tom ).—In reply to your queries taken in order, we have 
to say—1, An entire comb, “ all capped honey,” taken from the centre of a first 
swarm is not an unusual thing in fine seasous at this time of year. This year 
there has been a glut of honey in many parts of England, and after midsummer, 
when this occurs, bees will sacrifice everything to the paramount duty of pro¬ 
viding room for their winter stores. We have known them clear away eggs and 
brood to make way for honey. 2, Your plan is a gcod one; nor is there any 
reason why you should not treat all your hives in this manner. If we mistake 
not this will be the common practice in all well-managed apiaries in the future— 
a mark of “ high farming ” in bee matters. Take all the honey when a good 
price can be got for it, and supply its place with sugar syrup. 3, In this case we 
do not advise your trying to rear the stock in which the bees have been dwindling 
all the summer, even though they now have a breeding queen, unless you 
strengthen them largely by the addition of one or more lots of bees saved from 
the brimstone pits. 4, There is no objection to your feeding-on now such of 
your hives as you wish to fill with comb, especially if you supply them with bar 
frames and comb foundation. Feeding now will also stimulate present breeding. 
Perhaps we should prefer waiting till September. 
Artificial Swarming (Ten-years Subscriber ).—We should not advise you 
to disturb your bees at this season. The large quantity of bees that were out¬ 
side the stock hive were no doubt driven out by the excessive heat of the last 
ten days. We have found this the case in our own apiary, where in every hive 
the bees hung out as if they were going to swarm. Your other question shall 
be answered next week. 
Bees Attacked by Wasps (S. IF.).—If the hive be still populous the bees 
will probably hold their own, by your simply contracting the entrance so as to 
admit of the passage only of a single bee. If it be weak, the entrance should 
also be contracted, but the attack should be eluded by removing the colony to a 
new situation at a distance of not less than a mile and a half. In a few weeks 
the autumnal frosts will probably rid you of the plague of wasps, and then the 
persecuted bees may be restored to their original position. 
Feeding Driven Bees (Lex). —If you do not mind the trouble and 
expense of the copious feeding necessary to enable the bees to furnish their hives 
with combs, and store these combs with food before winter, you may do as 
you propose. You had better permit your old stock to swarm next summer, and 
unite it to the swarm by driving in the autumn, or drive and unite the bees to 
another stock if you are desirous of breaking it up at once. 
Kerry Cows (J. II. B .).—We believe the price of the cows you refer to in 
your letter varies according to the condition of the animal. Those in calf with 
first calf are £14, and those in milk after first calf £15 on the average. 
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS. 
CAMDEN SQUARE, LONDON. 
Lat. 51 o 32'40” N.; Long.0° 8' 0" W.; Altitude.lll feet. 
Date. 
9 A.M. 
IN THE DAY. 
Rain. 
1 
1880. 
August. 
1 Burome- 
( ter at 32° 
l and Sea 
I Level 
Hygrome¬ 
ter. 
Direction 
of AVind. 
Temp, of 
Soil at 
1 foot. 
Shade Tem¬ 
perature. 
Radiation 
Temperature. 
Dry. 
AVet. 
Max. 
Min. 
In 
sun. 
On 
grass. 
Inches. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
deg. 
In. 
Sun. 8 
29.584 
02.1 
56.4 
N.AV. 
60.3 
68.7 
52.1 
123.4 
49.7 
0.196 
Mon. 9 
29.995 
02.8 
58.4 
AV. 
60.0 
77.7 
40.0 
130.3 
46 3 
— 
Tues. 10 
30.292 
67.7 
60.3 
N.W. 
60.8 
79 3 
52.0 
127.9 
48.4 
— 
AVed. 11 
30.257 
70.4 
61.5 
N. 
62.7 
79.7 
58.0 
128.7 
52.4 
— 
Thnrs. 12 
30.208 
64.7 
60.4 
N. 
63.4 
77.3 
56.3 
131.0 
52.2 
— 
Friday 13 
30.122 
62.6 
60.1 
N. 
63.7 
79.5 
58.0 
126.4 
57.2 
— 
Satur. 14 
30.093 
61.7 
59.6 
N.E. 
64.4 
75.4 
58.8 
131.4 
56.6 
— 
Means. 
30.079 
64.6 
59.5 
62.2 
76.8 
55.0 
128.4 
51.8 
0.196 
REMARKS. 
8th.—Stormy morning, with heavy showers and occasional glimpses of sun¬ 
shine ; fine bright afternoon and evening. 
9th.—Fine bright warm day with pleasant breeze. 
10th.—Fine, bright, and hot; almost unbroken sunshine the whole day, but 
pleasant breezes. 
11th.—Fine, bright, and hot, but a good deal of cloud in afternoon and evening. 
12th.—Beautiful summer day, sunshine a little broken by cloud in afternoon. 
13th.—Cloudy and dull till about 11 A.M., afterwards fine, bright, and hot. 
14th.—Dull morning, fine bright afternoon, cloudy evening. 
A week of fine summer weather, the heat mitigated by pleasant breezes. Tem¬ 
perature considerably above that of last week, and higher than that of any 
other week this year.—G. J. Symons. 
COVENT GARDEN MARKET.— August 18. 
There is no quotable alteration in the trade since last week, and trade 
remains quiet. 
FRUIT. 
s. 
d. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
Apples. 
J sieve 
2 
6 to 4 
6 
Nectarines. 
dozen 
2 
0 to 8 
0 
Apricots. 
box 
i 
0 
2 
6 
Oranges . 
IF 100 
4 
0 
12 
0 
Cherries. 
IF 11). 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Peaches . 
dozen 
3 
0 
10 
0 
Chestnuts. 
bushel 12 
0 
16 
0 
Pears,kitchen .. 
dozen 
fr 
0 
0 
0 
Figs. 
dozen 
2 
0 
4 
0 
dessert. 
dozen 
2 
0 
s 
0 
Filberts. 
IFft. 
0 
0 
i 
0 
Pine Apples .... 
IF ft 
1 
0 
3 
0 
Cobs. 
IF ft 
0 
0 
i 
0 
Plums . 
J sieve 
2 
6 
4 
0 
Gooseberries .... 
I sieve 
2 
6 
4 
0 
Raspberries .... 
%> ft. 
0 
3 
0 
6 
Grapes . 
IF ft 
0 
9 
3 
0 
Strawberries .... 
IF ft. 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Lemons. 
4F100 
6 
0 
10 
0 
AValnuts . 
bushel 
0 
0 
0 
0 
each. 
ft 
0 
4 
0 
ditto . 
IF 100 
0 
0 
0 
0 
VEGETABLES. 
s. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d. 
8. 
d 
dozen 
2 
0 to 4 
0 
Mushrooms . 
dozen 
■J 
Ofo 1 
6 
Asparagus. 
handle 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Mustard & Cress .. 
punnet 
0 
2 
0 
3 
Beans, Kidney .... 
IF lb- 
0 
0 
0 
6 
Onions. 
bushel 
3 
6 
5 
0 
Beet, Red. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
pickling. 
quart 
0 
0 
0 
9 
Broccoli. 
bundle 
0 
9 
i 
6 
Parsley. doz. bunches 
6 
0 
0 
0 
Brussels Sprouts.. 
J sieve 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Parsnips. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Cabbage. 
dozen 
0 
6 
1 
0 
Peas . 
quart 
0 
9 
1 
0 
Carrots. 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Potatoes . 
bushel 
3 
9 
4 
0 
Capsicums. 
IF 100 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Kidney. 
bushel 
4 
0 
0 
0 
Cauliflowers. 
dozen 
0 
0 
3 
6 
Radishes.... doz.bunches 
1 
6 
2 
6 
Celery . 
bundle 
1 
6 
2 
0 
Rhubarb. 
bundle 0 
4 
0 
0 
Coleworts_doz. bunches 
2 
0 
4 
0 
Salsafy. 
bundle 
1 
0 
0 
0 
Cucumbers. 
each 
0 
4 
0 
6 
Scorzonera . 
bundle 
1 
6 
0 
0 
Endive. 
dozen 
1 
0 
2 
0 
Seakale . 
basket 
0 
0 
0 
0 
Fennel. 
bunch 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Shallots . 
IF ft 
0 
3 
0 
0 
Garlic . 
IF ft. 
0 
6 
0 
0 
Spinach . 
bushel 
3 
0 
0 
0 
Herbs . 
hunch 
0 
2 
0 
0 
Turnips . 
bunch 
0 
4 
0 
0 
L'cks. 
bunch 
0 
0 
4 
Vegetable Marrows 
each 
0 
2 
0 
0 
