122 AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. [Marge, 
Bee Notes for March. 
BY L. C. ROOT. 
In the “Notes for February” it was suggested 
that the extreme cold of the present winter would 
prove disastrous to bees wintered out of doors. 
Already report* come from different States, of seri¬ 
ous losses. 
Quiet Needed.— For several years past, I] have 
urged the necessity of leaving our bees as quiet as 
possible during winter months. If they were 
packed away properly, I say, again, do not disturb 
them. They will consume more honey if they are 
in any way stimulated to activity, Those who 
neglected their bees, and failed to furnish sufficient 
properly sealed food, will find the continued cold 
weather doubly serious for them, as their chances 
of successful feeding will be lessened thereby. 
The Outlook. —Frequent inquiries are made as 
to the outlook far beekeepers in the coming season. 
It is probable that the majority of the stock, after 
wintering, will not be in the best condition to com¬ 
mence work in spring. The ground having been 
well covered with snow during the severely cold 
weather, is a favorable indication, as clover and 
other honey plants have been well protected. 
Commencing Beekeeping. —Many express their 
intention to commence beekeeping the coming 
season, and some indicate a desire to engage in it 
quite largely at the outset. I notice by their in¬ 
quiries that these are entirely without practical 
experience. Let me advise such not to invest too 
largely in the business at first. Of course, some 
who are especially adapted to the pursuit will suc¬ 
ceed where oth*ers fail. I speak from dearly bought 
experience, when I say that most beginners will 
find it desirable to commence with but few swarms, 
and increase the number as their acquired knowl¬ 
edge of handling bees will warrant. 
Catalogues Received. 
A large list of catalogues will be found on page 78, 
last month ; it includes some of the leading dealers in 
each department. Our friends have favored us so abun¬ 
dantly that our remarks on each must be very brief. It 
is proper to state that the catalogues are always placed 
alphabetically, and the fact that one precedes another is 
entirely due to this accident. In behalf of the dealers 
as well as for the satisfaction of purchasers, we repeat 
the advice—'• Order Early.” 
SEEDSMEN. 
R. H. Allen & Co., Nos. 189-191 Water St.—Several 
specialties ; very full in grass and other farm seeds. 
Benson, Maule A Co., 223 Church St., Philadelphia.— 
Various specialties in vegetables and flowers. 
Hugo Beyer. New London, Iowa.—‘‘Seeds grown in 
and for the West." 
B. K. Bliss & Sons, No. 34 Barclay street, N. Y.— 
Wonderfully full, beautifully illustrated, and with more 
than the usual number of novelties. 
J. Bolgiano & Son, 28 S. Calvert St., Baltimore.—One 
of the oldest in the country but keeps up with the times. 
Alfred Bridgehan. No 876 Broadway, N.Y., besides 
his full illustrated catalogue sends list of specialties and 
a condensed market gardener’s list. 
Waldo F. Brown. Oxford, Butler Co.. O.—Offers pre¬ 
miums with his seeds and gives useful information. 
Robert Bitist, Jr., 922-924 Market St.. Philadelphia, 
publishes his catalogue as “ Buist’s Almanac and Garden 
Manual,” and very full and useful it is. 
A. D. Cowan & Co., 114 Chambers St., N. Y.— A full 
list of seeds and garden requisites with many novelties. 
C. W. Dows. Des Moines, Iowa.—A very full list of 
seeds, also fruit trees and plants, implements, etc. 
Henry' A. Dreer, 714 Chestnut St,., Philadelphia.— 
Both seeds and plants ; as rich and as instructive as usual. 
W. L. Ferris. Jr.. Poughkeepsie, N. Y.—Besides 
seeds, offers small fruits and ornamental trees, etc. 
L. W. Goodell, Amherst, Mass.—A neat and select 
illustrated list of seeds and bulbs. 
James J. H. Gregory, Marblehead, Mass.—A catalogue 
would not. be Gregory’s without novelties, and this year 
the list is longer than usual. 
R. D. Hawley. Hartford, Conn.—The usual list with 
specialties and various implements. 
D. Landreth & Sons. 21 and 23 S. Sixth St., Phila¬ 
delphia. —Tho catalogue as a ■‘Rural Register” gives 
tnany Bloomsdale specialties and much useful reading. 
T M Metcalf, Saint Paul, Minn.—Vegetable and 
tower seeds, garden requisites, with useful information. 
Henry Michel & Co., 107 N. 5th St., St, Louis.—Very 
full in every department, with plants and implements. 
Henry Nungesser, 83 Ave. D., N. Y.—Grass. Clover, 
and Forest-tree seeds. English and German lists. 
Plant Seed Company, 812-814 N. Fourth St., St. 
Louis.—Full with many specialties and unusual atten¬ 
tion to farm seeds. The same is also issued in German. 
E. A. Reeves, 68 Cortlandt St., N. Y.—Has separate 
catalogues for vegetables and flowers, with novelties. 
I. B. Root & Co., Rockford. Ill.—Very full and as 
heretofore with interesting reading. 
Hiram Sibley & Co., Rochester, N. Y„ and Chicago, 
Hi.—A very full list with handsome colored plates. 
Thorburn & Carson, 125 Chambers St., successors to 
Wm. H. Carson, besides the usual stock, offer a great 
variety of grain and other farm seeds. 
James M. Thorburn & Co., 15 John St.., N. Y., besides 
their immense catalogue, which includes Forest tree 
seeds, have a special list of novelties. 
E. P. Thompson, East Rockport, O., has a special list 
for market gardeners ; and shows them how they can get 
the American Agriculturist free. 
Vanderbilt Brothers, No. 23 Fulton St., N. Y.— 
Besides seeds a great variety of farm aDd garden imple¬ 
ments are illustrated. 
James Vick. Rochester, N. Y., had his catalogue no¬ 
ticed last month, but he now sends it in German. It is 
as full and finely illustrated as the English, and the por¬ 
trait is as handsome in German. 
NURSERYMEN AND FLORISTS. 
Baird & Tuttle, Bloomington, Ill.—Wholesale and 
retail lists of an immense variety, with novelties. 
J. G. Burrow. Fishkill. N. Y.—Various choice grapes, 
including the “ Jefferson ” and other novelties. 
Ellwanger & Barry, Rochester, N. Y.—Five cata¬ 
logues from this immense establishment give lists of 
fruits, of ornamental trees, shrubs, etc., and special 
strawberry and rose catalogues, and a wholesale list. 
Geo. W. Hawkins, Newburgh, N. Y.—A very full 
catalogue of fruit and ornamental trees with directions. 
Stephen Hoyt & Sons, New Canaan, Conn.—A very 
fully illustrated list of general stock, and a supplement 
for the Champion Quince. 
Innisfallen Greenhouses, Springfield, O.—Very full 
and neat; its cover is a work of art. 
R. S. Johnstone, Stockley, Del.—Wholesale list of 
trees and small fruits, very full in peaches. 
Kelsey & Co., St. Joseph, Mo.—Send wholesale list 
of fruits and ornamental stock. 
J. T. Lovett, Little Silver. N. J.—Small fruits and 
others, and choice ornamental stock, with many novel¬ 
ties, handsomely illustrated, with useful descriptions. 
John B. Moore & Co,, Concord, Mass.—New grapes, 
including Mr. Moore’s seedling ; asparagus, roses, etc. 
John C. Neltor, Turner Junction, Ill., sends his 
condensed list of orchard and small fruits. 
Ed. C. Phelps, Newport, Oregon—Fruit and Green¬ 
house stock; seeds and plants for the northwest. 
Arnold Puetz. Jacksonville, Fla.—Tropical and sub¬ 
tropical fruit and ether trees, native plants, seeds, etc. 
E. P. Roe, Cornwall-on-Hudson, N. Y.—Small fruits 
and grapes, all of the newest as well as btandard sorts. 
Wm. & Tnos. Smith, Geneva, N. Y.—A full illustrated 
catalogue shows that this, one of the oldest nurseries, 
keeps up with the times. 
W. C. Steele, La Porte, Ind.—A large stock of small 
fruits, berry boxes, etc. 
Geo. S. Wales. Rochester, N. Y., offers, in two lists, 
small fruits, shrubs, vines, roses, vegetable plants, etc. 
Woolson & Co., Passaic, N. J.—Hardy perennial 
plants, flowering shrubs and climbers, bulbs and ferns, 
with many novelties. 
IMPLEMENTS AND MACHINERY. 
S. L. Allen & Co.. 229 Market street, Philadelphia.— 
The Planet Seed Drill and other garden implements. 
W. F. & John Barnes, Rockford, Ill.—Foot power 
machinery and tools in wonderful variety. 
M. T. Davidson, Brooklyn, N. Y.—Steam pumps of 
various sizes for all duties. 
Ferracute Machine Co., Bridgeton, N. J.—Power 
presses and dies for metal workers of all kinds. 
O. S. Gilbert & Co., Indianapolis, Ind., describe and 
give the claims of the “Iron Duke ” windmill. 
C. A. Hege, Salem, N. C.—Circular saw mills, with 
various new adjuncts. 
T. B. Hussey', North Berwick, Me.—Plows, cultiva¬ 
tors, harrows, etc., in various styles. 
Nash & Brother. 22 College Place, N. Y.—The Acme 
Harrow, Crusher and Leveler, illustrated in its various 
forms. 
P. H. & F. M. Roots, Connersville, Ind.—Blowers of 
all kinds for use wherever a blast is required. 
Russell & Co., Massillon, Ohio.—A large and beauti¬ 
ful catalogue of threshers, with steam and horse-power. 
Sandwich Manufacturing Co., Sandwich, Ill.—Corn 
shellers, both hand and power, Adams & French Har¬ 
vester. 
Seeger Manufacturing Co.. Springfield, Mass.— 
Yarious jacks, presses, and other farm machines. 
Shepherd & Nichols, Battle Creek, Mich.—The 
“ Vibrator Thresher,” with horse and steam powers. 
Smith Refrigerator Co.. Michigan City, Ind.—The 
Alaska “ Refrigerator ” for family, store, and railroad. 
J. H. Thomas & Sons, Springfield, Ohio.—Hay rakes 
and portable engine for farm nse. 
Wheeler & Meltck Co., Albany, N Y.—Horse pow¬ 
ers, threshers, La Dow’s harrow, hay-rigging, etc. 
W. A. Wheeler. Worcester. Mass.—“The Hercules 
Wind Engines,” quite unlike the usual windmill. 
Wiard Plow Co., Batavia, N. Y., illustrate their 
Chilled Plow in great variety. 
LIVE STOCK, FERTILIZERS, AND MISCEL¬ 
LANEOUS. 
C. R. Allen & Co., Hartford, Conn.—“ Imperial Egg 
Food," and poultry supplies of every kind. 
Bausch & Lomb Optical Co., No. 37 Maiden Lane, 
N. Y.—An illustrated price list of their various micro¬ 
scopes, with accessories, mounting implements and ma¬ 
terials. 
Bowker Fertilizer Co., 13 Chatham street. Boston, 
and 3 Park Place, N. Y.—Pamphlets giving an account 
of the fertilizers supplied by this successful Company. 
Campbell Printing Press Co., No. 51 Beekman 
street, N. Y., describe their country presses in a circular 
which is a marvel of neatness and beauty. 
Cortland Wagon Co., Cortland, N. Y.—Wagons In 
the greatest variety are illustrated. 
D. M, Dewey'. Rochester, N. Y.—Catalogue of plates* 
fruits, .etc., nursery stock and nurseryman requisites. 
Frentress Barbed Wire Fence Co., East Dubuque, 
Ill., describe their wares in an illustrated pamphlet. 
A. P. Griffin, Smyrna, Del., describes various farms, 
etc., for sale. 
Chas. H. Lake, Baltimore, Md.—Bees and aprarian 
appliances of all kinds. 
Lands in Delaware.— A P. Griffith, Smyrna, Del., 
offers farms and shows why people should buy them. 
Lands in Maryland.— Chas. E. Shanahan, Easton, 
Talbot Co., Md.—A descriptive list of over 200 farms and 
places in Talbot Co. 
T. W. Lawford, of Baltimore, sends a pamphlet giv¬ 
ing an account of Little's Chemical Fluid Sheep Dip, 
with numerous testimonials from American sheep 
breeders. 
Maher & Grosch, Toledo. O.—Pocket and other cut¬ 
lery, and a great variety of miscellaneous articles of 
hardware, including guns, skates, etc. 
S. A. Minton, Fair Haven, N. J.—Catalogue of “High- 
Class Poultry,” of the leading breeds. 
The Orange Judd Company, 245 Broadway, N. Y.— 
The “Sportsman’s Companion.” a finely illustrated 
catalogue of standard works for the sportsman's library. 
W. S. Ponder, Groesbeck, Ohio, offers Italian Bees. 
J. H. Rushton, Canton, N. Y.—Boats and canoes of 
various styles and fittings. 
McKay' Metallic Fastening Association. 29 High 
street, Boston.—An illuminated calendar describes 
fastening the soles of boots and shoes with screw-wire- 
Powell & Douglass, Waukegan, Ill., devote a pamph¬ 
let of over 20 pages to the various forms and styles of 
the Star Wood Pump. 
Price Well Excavator Co., 29 Rose street, N. Y., 
describe their method of boring aitesian wells. 
Poultry— We hai'e received price lists from Me Aid- 
rich, Felts Mills, N. Y... A. W. Shepherd, Sand Brook, 
N. J. A. J. Stedman, Jeddo, Ohio. 
James W. Queen & Co., 924 Chestnut St., Philadei. 
phia.—A very full illustrated catalogue of physical, 
chemical and school apparatus. 
Frank B. Redfield, “ Wigwam Farm,” Batavia. N_ 
Y. Polled Angus or Aberdeen and Short Horn Cattle 
and Trotting Horses. 
A. P. & M. B. Rowe, “ Co-operative Stock Farm,” 
Fredericksburg, Va.—Jersey cattle, choice sheep, swine 
and poultry. 
Henry Seymour Cutlery Co.. Holyoke, Mass., and84 
and 86 Chambers street, N. Y.—Shears and scissors in 
all styles and for all purposes ; each illustrated. That 
some are good, we know from use. 
F. A. Sinclair, Mottville, N. Y.—A catalogue of his 
“ Common Sense Chairs,” with one testimonial in the 
shape of a “ pome.” 
Winchester Repeating Arms’ Co., No. 312 Broad¬ 
way, N. Y., issue an elaborately illustrated catalogue, 
showing in detail their arms, and all the appliances. 
John D. Wing, Millbrook, N. Y.—An exquisitely neat 
catalogue of the “Maple Shade Herd” of Jersey cattle. 
FOREIGN CATALOGUES. 
William Bryce & Co., London and Glasgow.—Whole¬ 
sale list of agricultural and garden seeds. 
Henry Cannel, Swanley Junction, Kent, Eng., in a 
volume of nearly 250 pages, describes and illustrates 
various new and choice flowers. 
Daniels Bros., Norwich, Eng.—A beautifully illus¬ 
trated catalogue of Dutch flower roots. 
Harrison & Sons, Leicester, Eng.—Dutch and other 
flower bulbs, herbaceous plants, etc. 
F. C. Heinemann. Erfurt, Prussia.—Seeds and plants 
in great variety and full of eugraviugs. 
F. C. IIf.inemann, Erfurt, Prussia.—This in the size 
and number of pages is the largest catalogue that comes 
to us. Seeds, plants, and fruit, abundantly illustrated. 
Hooper & Co.. Covent Garden, Eng.—A full bulb and 
seed catalogue, with a fine plate of Colochortus. 
M. Rennie, Toronto, Canada.—A full illustrated list 
of seeds and implements. 
A Smith & Co., Grimsby, Ont.—Small fruits with 
local specialties. 
Sutton & Co., Reading, Eng.—Their catalogues form 
a small library, and are illustrated with a wealth of 
colored and plain engravings, while the cover to each is 
a work of art. They include the "Sutton’s Farmers’ 
Year Book and Graziers’ Manual,” “ Amateurs Guide 
in Horticulture,” “Tropical Garden Guide,” and “Bulb 
Catalogue,” and very full they all are. 
Tile Massachusetts Horticultural So¬ 
ciety continues its annual offer of prizes for essays upon 
Horticultural subjects. These prizes are designed to 
bring out new facts and promote the general knowledge 
upon horticultural questions. The prizes are $25 each, 
and if the essays are especially valuable the prize may be 
raised to $50. “Competition isopen to all.” The sub¬ 
jects of the essay, and any further information may be 
obtained by addressing the Secretary, Robert Manning 
Horticultural Hall, Boston, Mass. 
