21G 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ March 12, 1891. 
minus the yellow bands, but others have from one to three.” I 
suppose, in the latter case, he counts the edge of the segment next 
the thorax, which is not a band proper. He has “gone in” for 
the cheap Lanarkshire hive, and has a few of them already made ; 
and I reciprocate his wish “ that he is on the right track,” and 
venture to go further, that he will not regret turning from the 
standard to the hive that is applicable to all places and seasons, and 
to every mode of manipulation that bees may be subjected to, while 
combs and bees are safe in them while in transit in a temperature 
that in other hives bees, combs, and honey would, be in an inex¬ 
tricable pulp. As to getting pure queens, I have never been dis¬ 
appointed with the firm of Messrs. George Neighbour & Sons. I 
know they do their utmost to secure genuine articles.—A Lanark 
3IIIRE Bee-keeper. 
THE “HALLiMSHIRE” GLISS SECTIONS AND 
GRANULA.TION OF HONEY. 
Tn the issue for February 2i)th “ A Sussex Amateur ” wishes to know 
what has become of me and my sections, and how I account for the 
honey granulating next to the glass. 
In the first place, though apparently very quiet, I have been far 
from still, and if your correspondent will write to the Secretary of the 
Bee Publication Co., Limited, 1!), Cambridge Street, Sheffield, for a 
prospectus he will learn something to his advantage as well as the 
explanation. Regarding the other question, it was both stupid and 
unfair of the Judge to disqualify his sections because the cells next to 
the glass showed signs of granulating. No doubt wooden sections 
would have shown the same peculiarity had they been examined. I 
have sections worked in 188S that are still liquid next to the glass, and 
they have been frozen too. I have Heather sections of 1889 that have 
granulated as well as others gathered at the same time which have not. 
It appears to me to be simply one of the arts to obtain sections that will 
not granulate, just like many sections filled all round, and this again is 
quite a matter of fancy, and has no logical base to support it. Still, I 
prefer to see the honey in a clear liquid state next to the glass, and 
from what I have observed this depends on keeping the super and 
sections quite warm. The sections must not touch the super m any 
part, then the honey is ripened down somewhat “extra,” as it were ; 
for the sole cause of either honey or sugar “ graining ” is the presence 
of air, which keeps the particles apart, and so gives room for the 
crystals to form. Remove every particle of air, and no sugar will 
“ grain ” or candy. 1 pointed this out in 1883 in the “ B. B. J.,” and was 
well laughed at, as all “ authorities ” swore by vinegar and cream of 
tartar to prevent syrup granulating.—A Hallamshire Bee-keeper. 
The Bee Publication Co., Limited.— We have received a 
prospectus of the above Company, which is being promoted in Sheffield 
by a number of influential gentlemen, amongst whom we notice 
“ A Hallamshire Bee-keeper,” primarily to print and publish a new 
Bee Journal entirely in the interests of bee-keepers, “ free from clique 
interests or bias of any kind.” Those of our readers who desire further 
particulars about the scheme can obtain them from the Secretary, Mr. 
T. Bonner Chambers, 19, Cambridge Street, Sheffield. 
All correspondence should be directed either to “ The 
Editor ” or to “ The Publisher.” Letters addressed to 
Dr. Hogg or members of the staff often remain unopened 
unavoidably. We request that no one will write privately 
to any of our correspondents, as doing so subjects them to 
unjustifiable trouble and expense. 
Correspondents should not mix up on the same sheet questions 
relating to Gardening and those on Bee subjects, and should 
never send more than two or three questions at once. All 
articles intended for insertion should be written on one side of 
the paper only. We cannot reply to questions through the 
post, and we do not undertake to return rejected communica¬ 
tions. 
Crocuses (F. G .).—They are not extensively grown in the London 
parks, but some may be seen in the Hyde and Regent’s Parks, but not 
•next week. By far the best collection is grown at Kew, but the weather 
has arrested the expansion of the flowers. 
Gardeners’ Wages (^•L.G.'). —A"our question, like many more 
pertaining to legal matters, does not permit of a categorical reply being 
given. We suspect the advice a lawyer would give would depend 
mainly on whether the coHage is included in the wages or is indepen¬ 
dent of them, and this in itself, for anything we know to the contrary, 
might form matter for dispute. If the question is of material import¬ 
ance you had better consult a solicitor. 
Iicmon not Fruiting (A'XA'J.).—Your plant would have borne 
fruit before now if it had been grafted from a fruitful tree when the 
seedling was two years old. It is, however, old enough for flowering 
now, and, if healthy, does not make luxuriant shoots, and the wood is 
well ripened by full exposure to the sun in summer and autumn, flowers 
ought to be produced another year. An expert gardener could, however, 
graft the plant if you wish and have the requisite conveniences to ensure 
its success. 
Oleanders Poisonous Qlnrpi.iver'). —The remarks in the work to 
which you refer pertain to plants growing in groves in their native 
habitats, and not to those grown in pots in this country. In respect to 
these we have never known any injury result, except when a person has 
cut his hand while pruning and the knife was wet with the juice. 
Though we cannot say there is any positive danger in having a few of 
the flowers in rooms, we should not prefer flowers from such a suspicious 
family of plants. That Oleanders are poisonous is beyond doubt. The 
name of the Ruscus is hypophyllum trifoliatus. We are obliged by your 
reminder. 
Cork Dust — Sea Sand (7/. E. ^1.).—The cork dust will do no 
harm to the manure, nor good either, except it is to be applied to 
strong land or soil deficient in humus. It has somewhat the same 
effect as leaf mould, and this is good for certain soils and purposes. 
Sea sand is regularly used for propagating and mixing with soil for 
potting, some persons preferring it to any other kind. It varies, how¬ 
ever, and if freshly gathered, we should try it experimentally at first 
by inserting a few cuttings and potting a common plant or two in 
some washed and unwashed, then note the results before using it 
extensively. 
Syring'^ngr IVXuscat Grapes (.:!» Amateur'). —Some professional 
gardeners have found the syringe of assistance to them in setting 
Muscat Grapes, but we do not advise amateurs, or gardeners either, 
who have had no experience in the practice, to adopt it. They may try 
it, if they wish, on a few bunches, and note the results, but the over¬ 
whelming majority of the most accomplished Grape growers set their 
Muscats without syringing the bunches when flowering. Those who 
find the plan answer drive the water directly on the bunches about 
the middle of the forenoon, forcing off the liquid globules, we presume, 
that sometimes prevent the pollen from reaching the stigmas for the 
purpose of fertilisation. Our Grape-growing readers are quite at liberty 
to state their views, either in favour or otherwise, of setting Muscat 
Grapes with the aid of the syringe. lYe know that some have succeeded 
in doing so, while others have failed, and therefore we advise the in¬ 
experienced to proceed cautiously and experimentally in the matter. 
Lady Downe’s and Gros Colman usually set well under suitable atmo¬ 
spherical conditions by giving the Vines a few sharp raps or shakes to 
disperse the pollen at the proper time. 
Apple from Tipperary (TF.).—It is probable that the Apple is 
Cobham or Pope’s Apple, one of the Blenheim Pippin type, which is 
thus described in the “ Fruit Manual ; ”—“ Fruit, large ; ovate, hand¬ 
somely and regularly formed. Skin, clear yellow, tinged with greenish 
patches, and strewed with dark dots ; on the side next the sun it is 
marked with a few faint streaks of crimson. Eye, large and open, like 
that of the Blenheim Pippin, and set in a wide and plaited basin. 
Stalk, short, deeply inserted in a round cavity, which is lined with 
rough russet. Flesh, yellowish, tender, crisp, sugary, and juicy, with a 
rich and excellent flavour. A very valuable Apple, either for the 
dessert or culinary purposes; it is in use from November to March. 
This variety has all the properties of the Blenheim Pippin, and is much 
superior to it, keeps longer, and has the great advantage of being an 
early and abundant bearer. I met with this excellent Apple in the 
neighbourhood of Sittingbourne, in Kent, about the year 1842. The 
account I received of it was, that the original tree grew in the garden 
of a cottager of the name of Pope, at Cellar Hill, in the parish of 
Linstead, near Sittingbourne. It was highly prized by its owner, to 
whom the crop afforded a little income, and many were the unsuccessful 
applications of his neighbours for grafts of what became generally known 
as Pope’s Apple. The proprietor of Pope’s cottage built a row of other 
dwellings adjoining, in the gardens of which there were no fruit trees, 
and, for the sake of uniformity, he cut down Pope’s Apple tree, notwith¬ 
standing the offer of 203. a year more rent to spare it. The tree, being 
condemned, was cut down in 1816, at which period it was between fifty 
and sixty years old. The name of Cobham was given to it by Kirke, 
the nurseryman at Brompton.” 
Spraylni; — Chou de Burgrhley, French Beans (N. J. A.), —We 
are obliged by your reference. We make no pretence to retaining the 
“ threads of arguments ” in connection with matters of inquiry from 
correspondents. A letter is answered and done with, and in dealing 
with from 200 to 500 a day that are delivered at this office there is no 
other practicable course. We bestow with the greatest readiness all 
necessary pains in answering letters, but naturally expect inquirers to 
make their cases as clear as possible, and not to presume that we know 
what is in their minds when this is not stated. Spraying is much better 
than syringing for the destruction of caterpillars, fungi, and some 
