1884] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
Bedding Plants .—Continue to propagate. Hard¬ 
en those already potted in a cooler house. 
Camellias. —Inarch. Prune those out of flower in¬ 
to shape. Keep foliage clean and heat uniform. 
Calceolarias—It pot-bound shift to larger pots. 
Chrysanthemums .—Propagate by cuttings or by 
division of old plants. 
Fuchsias .—Start old plants into growth, first 
, pruning them. Repot young plants. 
Heliotrope .—Make cuttings; repot rooted plants. 
Lantanas —will need repotting. 
lemons, Oranges and Oleanders .—Remove scale 
from stems by soap suds applied with a stiff brush. 
Pelargoniums. —Make cuttings of bedding sorts. 
Give plenty of light to those coming into bloom. 
Boses .—Those which are to bloom out of doors 
should have larger pots. 
Apiary in Marcia. 
Prepared by M. Quinby—By Request. 
When the frost is out of the hives, raise them 
and scrape out all dead bees and filth from under 
the combs. After one or two days in which the 
bees have flown out freely, examine the hives to 
ascertain their condition. To do this, if box hives 
are used, invert them, having first quieted the bees, 
if necessary, by blowing tobacco smoke among 
them. Let the sun 6hine directly among the 
combs. In the strongest colonies the bees will 
nearly fill the spaces between the combs. If they 
extend only between two or three combs, the col¬ 
ony is weak and needs protection from robbers: 
contract the entrance so that but one bee can pass 
at a time. If there be sealed honey, there is not' 
much danger of the colony starving in twelve or 
fourteen days. Delay feeding as long as practica¬ 
ble, but tylien it becomes necessary, place the mate¬ 
rial In the box on the top of the hive and cover 
it closely, allowing the bees access only through 
the top of the hive. Feed with honey, scalded, 
with a little water added, or with sugar dissolved 
to a syrup. To feed in the movable comb hive, re¬ 
move an outside empty comb, and replace with 
sealed honey; or a comb may be filled by pouring 
a small stream into the empty cells. When a col¬ 
ony leaves its hive for want of provisions, if they 
cluster, return them to their own hive if it be in 
healthy condition, and feed them regularly. A col¬ 
ony may sometimes be found to all appearance dead, 
but unless they are absolutely frozen, they may not 
lose their vitality in a day or two. Place the hive 
near the fire, warm a few spoonfuls of honey or 
sugar syrup and pour it directly among the bees. 
Tie a cloth over the hive to detain them, and when 
they are warmed into activity return them to the 
stand and feed as before directed. In large apiaries, 
such cases may occur at any time before clover 
blossoms. Should the bees die in a cluster, and 
become mouldy and decomposed, cut out all affect¬ 
ed combs, leaving only such as are in good condi¬ 
tion. The presence of a queen is often ascertained 
by discovering eggs or any immature bees on the 
fioor of the hive. Any clusters of dead bees be¬ 
tween the combs may be removed with a large wire 
bent into a hook at the end. If any change is yet 
to be made in the stands, it should be neglected no 
longer. It cannot be done after they have been 
out a few times and marked their locality, without 
6crious loss of bees, unless taken to a considerable 
distance. Should there be a light snow, observe 
the rules given last month. In many places some 
pollen will be brought in towards the last of the 
month. The value of flour as a substitute, 
will depend on the size of the apiary and the 
supply of early flowers in the vicinity. If there 
are but few bees, and there is an abundance of alder 
and swamp willows near, the flour is not very 
essential; but where there are many bees, it is 
quite important. One apiary fed last spring what 
would amount to an average of about 2 lbs. to the 
hive, swarmed three weeks earlier, and sent out 
three times as many swarms as any other in this 
vicinity. The result must be attributed either to 
the feed, or to the superiority of the “long billed” 
variety to which it was given. Buckwheat flour 
was not taken readily after they had feasted on rye. 
Rye is probably as good as any, and the bees seem 
to like it best unbolted; they appropriate the fine 
particles, leaving the coarser bran for cattle. Dur¬ 
ing the first warm days, scatter this feed on the 
ground or grass, in some place out of the wind, 
near where you intend they shall work. To keep 
the meal from being wasted, spread it on a tight 
floor a few feet square, with a curb around the 
edge. It will not do to depend on flour to sustain 
colonies that are out of honey; flour is good only 
for the young brood; old bees require honey, or its 
equivalent. Hives kept in the house may be set 
out some fair, warm day. Put out a dozen, and in 
two hours as many more, letting each occupy their 
own old stand as far as practicable. Better let 
some remain over till another day, than to take all 
out at once, as many bees issue immediately and 
some get confused and enter the wrong hive. 
Should some colonies become very strong, others 
must be correspondingly weak. After flying out a 
day or two, put a strong one in the place of a weak 
one, and that in the place of the other. They 
usually become about equal the next day they fly. 
Exhibition Tables at the ©flice of 
the American Agriculturist. 
For the benefit of new subscribers, we state that the 
Office Room of this journal, 25 by 75 feet, affords ample 
space for a large exhibition of agricultural and horti¬ 
cultural objects of interest. Usually our tables present 
a very attractive appearance, at times exceeding that of 
many county fairs, and being centrally located, adjoining 
Printing House Square, and almost in front of the City 
Hall, our office is visited by thousands of persons weekly. 
All are invited to exhibit appropriate articles, fruit, 
vegetables, flowers, implements, household products, etc., 
and also to call and examine the collection. The win¬ 
ter months are less prolific in out-door production, but 
the following articles have been placed on the tables 
since our last report: 
Fruits.—A pples: Fine red apples for name, J. A. 
Coutant, Sirig Sing, N. Y....Cogswell Pearmain ; Ed¬ 
ward Newberry, Brooklyn, Conn....Fine Specimens 
from Elberfeldt, Germany; Ernest Obrig, Brooklyn, N.Y. 
- Pears: Five California Pears, weighing 13% lbs., 
largest, 3 lbs. 8 oz., raised by R. G. Moody, San Jose, Cal¬ 
ifornia ; exhibited by E. W. Mattison, 36 Spruce Street, 
N.Y_Model of Large Duchesse Pear, weight ef ori¬ 
ginal, 35% oz.; Dr. Ward, Newark, N. J.Winter 
Nellis, in fine condition, Jan. 3d; Mr. Leverich, Brooklyn, 
N'. Y_Cranberries, 4 varieties ; Dr. S. Derby, Stanton, 
Mich....Pomegranate and Orange grown in Florida; 
Theodore Holt, Hilton Head, S. C. 
Vegetables, etc.—F ine Winfield Red Onion ; W. T. 
Simpson, Rockford, XU.Prairie Seedling Potato, 
sample of 300 bushels per acre ; Wm. S. Carpenter, Rye, 
N. Y... .Large Red Onion, 2 lbs.; W. A. Byers, Denver, 
Colorado Terr_White Norfolk Turnip, 10% lb.; W. B. 
Miles, ManhassetNeck, L. I ...Carrots, sample of 500 
bushels per acre, one weighing 3% lb.; James If eeley, 
Paranus, N. J — Garnet Chili Potato; F. Campbell, 
N. Y. City....Prince Albert, do., curious growth ; S. II. 
Ifnapp, Bedford, N. Y....Colbrook Seedling; I. Camp, 
Norwalk, Conn-New Seedling; Wm. E. Palmer, 
Pleasantville, N. Y_Squashes, several Varieties; C. S. 
Pell, New York Orphan Asylum — California Gourds, 
•very fine, and Crook-necked Squashes; John G. Schnei¬ 
der, Fishkill Landing, N. Y — Salsify, or Oyster Plant, 
fine growth; J. E. Chapman, Perth Amboy, N. J....Fine 
varieties of Corn ; Edgar Griffin, West Hampton, L. I... 
Corn, 12 and 14 rowed ; G. B. Valentine, Yonkers, N. Y. 
....White Flint Corn ; Jonas Tooker, Westfield, N. J... 
Mushrooms, very fine ; Wm. Chorlton, Staten Island_ 
Connecticut Seed Leaf Tobacco; John Drummond, 
Gardener to Mrs. Strong, Newtown, N. Y. " 
Miscellaneous.—B eautiful Bouquet of Flowers ; Miss 
Cortelyou, Staten Island, N. Y_Fine named collec¬ 
tion of beautiful Camellias; from Wm. Chorlton, Staten 
Island—amongst them, Fimbriata, Dunlap’s Imbricata, 
Fordii, Myrtifolia, Lowii, Elphinstonii, Wilderii, Prattii, 
Mrs. Cope, etc. etc.Hen’s Eggs, very large, and 
very small; S. F. Bogert, Centerville, N. J.Nutmeg, 
perfect fruit; O. G. Austin, Jersey City, N. J. 
Suwarrow Nut; from Demarara', S. A.Sorghum 
Sugar fine sample; made by George B. Wallace, Low 
Moore, Iowa; exhibited by J. B. Jones, N. Y. City. 
Tree Labels of Slate, from Germany; A. S. Fuller, 
Brooklyn, N.Y-Leaf and Cane of Palmetto ; John 
Yelter, Seabrook, near Hilton Head, S. C_Sorghum 
Syrup, sample from 1100 gallons, made in 1863; A. Flem¬ 
ing, Readington, N. J. 
67 
Notes from the Fruit Growers’ Meetings. 
A brief abstract for the four weeks ending Feb. 11th, 
is all our space permits. 
Dr. Ward presented an apparently new pear, of large 
size, probably a seedling. Flavor fine, sweet, buttery, 
and firm to the core. It was found on an old thrifty tree 
on New York Island, which has borne for years past 
about 12 bushels of pears annually. Keeps till March, 
and the Dr. thinks it the best pear after the Lawrence Is 
gone, which opinion was concurred in. 
T. W. Field remarked that a winter pear was a rarity; 
those called such ripen in November. The Easter Beurre, 
about the only well known really winter sort, falls ofl 
prematurely and does not ripen up well.—Lawrence and 
Vicars prove the best late sorts. 
Specimens of the Jonathan apple were shewn and 
spoken of as one of the best sorts. Northern spy was 
considered a good shipping apple, much liked in England. 
A. Parrish had known Northern Spy since its first intro¬ 
duction. The tree withstands northern winters better 
than almost any other kind, is an abundant bearer, and a 
good market fruit, retaining its freshness. He took 1000 
bbls. Northern Spy, R. I. Greening, Swaar, Baldwin, etc., 
to Port Royal last season, and Northern Spy kept best, be¬ 
sides bringing $2 per bbl. more than other sorts. 
Rev. J Knox, of Pittsburg, said concerning raspberries, 
for marketing he prefers Franconia, Brinckle’s Orange, 
and Improved Black Cap. B. Orange is highest flavorc .; 
Franconia very good, solid, and a great bearer ; while tne 
Improved Black Cap is yearly becoming more popular 
is perfectly hardy, an abundant bearer, and brings a good 
price. Fastolff does not do well with him—is too soft and 
does not yield enough ; if confined lo a single sort, give 
him Franconia. This variety does not sucker 'freely, 
and on this aocount nurserymen too frequently discard it. 
Dr. Ward raised raspberries for 15 years—tried all the 
old sorts, and found nothing equal to Franconia, in size, 
productiveness, and market value;—has rows 10 years 
planted which bear as well as when first set. 
E. Williams agrees with Knox on varieties—finds Im 
proved Black Cap very prolific, obtaining a bushel from 
a single picking of a row 150 feet long. Can’t get a stand 
of Hudson River Antwerp. 
A. S. Fuller grow f s Franconia ; can not get enough for 
orders. Belle de Fontenay best of everbearing, but oi 
little value. Brinckle’s Orange good, but don’t take in 
market, which is the best guide for planting. 
Samples of condensed cider from Gail Borden’s manu¬ 
factory were shown and commended. It was stated that 
he had put up 600 bbls. for army use. See page 78. 
Solon Robinson thought that such an article would be 
a preventive of the scurvy in the army, and that soldiers, 
who paid $1.00 per dozen for small apples, at Chattanoo¬ 
ga, would look upon this as a godsend. 
R. H. Williams suggests, that grapes may by the same 
process yield a jelly, to be easily kept or transported. 
At one of the meetings the Chairman, Mr. Wm. Clark 
of Massachusetts, thought more profit would result from 
discussing a regular subject, when Mr. Robinson pro¬ 
posed: “What influence does the stock exercise upon 
the graft?” A variety of views were expressed, some 
contending that the only effect of the stock was to hasten 
the bearing period, as the quince stock does the pear, 
and the paradise the apple. Others thought a finer, more 
delicate flavor imparted to the pear by the quince stock. 
A letter was read from an experimenter, wh» said that 
to get late sorts of fruit we must plant seeds of lale 
varieties,*and early ripening kinds for early sorts. By 
grafting stocks from late seeds, with winter sorts, he main¬ 
tained that the keeping qualities were improved. 
R. II. Williams was of the opinion that the pear, planted 
on quince, seldom put out its own roots. 
W. S. Carpenter would undertake to plant 100 dwarf 
pears and have 99 of them root from the pear. 
Solon Robinson, in reply to the question whether sorts 
did net run out, or were not limited to the age of the tree 
from wdiich the graft was taken, asked, if 200 years was 
the allowed life time of a pear tree and a cion were taken 
from it at the end of 199 years and grafted into a young 
stock, whether th? graft would die the next year. 
T. W. Field cited in proof that sorts did not run out 
with the decay of the original tree, that certain sorts had 
been in existence for a thousand years. To illustrate 
the long life of the pear, he mentioned some trees on the 
light soil of Long Island which were planted by Peter 
Stuyvesant in 1648, and consequently over 200 years old. 
They are still thrifty, are 9% to 10% feet in circumference, 
and bear full crops of what are caLed summer Bon 
Chretien—the same sort as the lamous Stuyvesant tree 
on the corner of Third Avenue and Thirteenth street of 
this city, planted about the same time, by the same person. 
Mr. Carpenter was of opinion that varieties de run out, 
and that putting them on young thrifty stocks would not 
save them. He instanced the White Doyenne pear and 
the Newton Pippin apple. 
It. II. Williams thought the newer varieties of apples 
