AprU 16 , 1831. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
318 
first they will have the appearance of being overpotted ; but in a short 
time this seeming difficulty will be overcome, and the plants will be 
large for the size pots in which they arc growing. Give to plants that 
it is necessary to keep in a certain size pot soot water in a clear state 
every time they need water; a little artificial manure applied to the 
surface occasionally will also be beneficial. The former in a perfectly 
clear state may be syringed over the foliage once or twice a week, and 
will have a stimulating effect upon the plants. Where Crotons are 
needed in a small state, and quantities are damaged for various decora¬ 
tive purposes, insert cuttings frequently. These root quickly in brisk 
heat during the season of growth. When large heads are taken off cut 
them where the wood is soft, and then they will root without losing a 
% single leaf. 
Poinsetti^s. —If the old stems are cut into lengths of two joints, 
inserted in sandy soil, and placed in a warm house, they will soon com¬ 
mence growing and form roots. This is probably the easiest way of 
raising these plants. When cuttings of young shoots are preferred, 
place the old plants in heat and keep them well syringed until growth 
commences. When the shoots are 3 inches in length slip them off with 
a sharp knife and insert them singly in thumb pots, placing a little sand 
at the base of each cutting. If kept close and shaded from the sun 
under handlights they wull soon root. 
PtiphorbiajacqulnicBjlora. —Place the old plants of these in heat to 
start them into growth, When the young shoots are 3 inches long 
remove the plants to a cooler place for ten days ; the cuttings may then 
be taken off just where they issue from the old stem with a sharp knife, 
and every one will root if placed round the sides of small pots and stood 
under handlights. Young plants of last year that have been pruned 
back may, when they have begun growing, be shaken out and repotted. 
Start these in an intermediate temperature. Cuttings of Plumbago 
rosea root freely under handlights, so also do those of Thyrsacanthus 
rutilans. These should be placed singly in small pots, and the old 
plants thrown away. Directly the cuttings are growing remove them 
to an intermediate temperature, and finally grow them cool throughout 
the summer. 
Gloxinias. —The earliest of these may be placed into 6-inch pots ; 
also pot those singly that are just starting into growth, and introduce 
others into heat in boxes amongst leaf mould. Prick out seedlings that 
are large enough to handle, and sow a little more seed where late plants 
are apirreciated. 
Gesneras. —Shake the old soil from the earliest flowering of these, 
and start them into growth singly or two or three together in small 
pots. They will start quickly into growth in Cucumber and Melon 
houses, but once the foliage commences to form they must have a 
position where they will be free from the syringe. Water on the foliage 
turns it brown and disfigures it. 
Tqdccas .—Madame Heine and other varieties of this section will be 
lost if dried, they form no underground stems. They are propagated by 
cuttings which root very freely. Cuttings are plentiful now, and when 
they are inserted the old plants may be thrown out at once. If large 
plants are needed insert the cuttings singly in small pots and pinch 
them from time to time. When bushy plants are needed in 5-inch pots 
insert the cuttings thickly together in pans, and when they have com¬ 
menced growing strongly re-root the tops and throw the others away. 
These if pinched once will make capital plants. 
Mcdinilla magnifica. —Place this plant to make its growth where a 
brisk moist heat can be maintained. Syringe freely, for it is very liable 
to be attacked by thrip. If a larger pot is needed, shift it at once. It 
does well in any rich compost; for instance, fibry loam, one-seventh of 
manure, sand, and a little leaf mould. It will grow in peat, and also in 
equal portions of peat and loam. 
Achimones. —Insert cuttings thickly in pans for making up baskets. 
Those for decoration in pots may be inserted in 5-inch. They do well 
in this size, and form handsome plants, either for the conservatory 
or in rooms. The cuttings strike freely if shaded in a warm moist 
atmosphere. 
APIARIAN NOTES. 
The Weather. 
The 10th April brought a favourable change ; the wind was 
softer, and the temperature reached 53°, being the highest recorded 
since February. The temperature from 1st to 10th April ranged 
between 20° and 38°, except on the 7th, when it reached 45°. The 
cold has had a depressing influence on both animal and vegetable 
life. No one could have anticipated in February the destruction 
that March has inflicted. The thermometer does not always 
give sufficient data as to the severity of the weather. Frequently 
it sinks to a low degree for a few minutes, but to rise again ; 
in that case no great harm may be done, but when it remains for 
days with a mean temperature of 30°, or about that, then the 
effects of it are felt and seen. 
Frequently I have witnessed ice formed upon water in barrels- 
an inch thick under a temperature of 25°, while at other times^ 
with a temperature of 20°, little or no ice was formed. In the- 
latter case the low temperature had been of short duration, whiles 
in the former it had been of long duration. 
The Apiary. 
If flowers and the buds of fruit trees and bushes have suffered 
much, but I am glad to say my bees show no falling off. A few' 
young ones show defective wings consequent of the cold, but 
nothing serious. I have seen drones and heard them while on 
the wing. The prosperity of hives depends greatly upon the 
weather for the next month ; if fine they will be all that can 
be desired, but if untoward great care will have to be exercised 
by the apiarist to prevent them going back. 
Feeding. 
Supplying syrup and pea meal must be attended to. The old- 
fashioned time to commence feeding was about the middle of 
April, which with few exceptions had to be kept up till some time 
in June, and this too although swarming was common from the- 
middle of May. Some of the best honey seasons we have had 
followed a cold and protracted spring, and this taught us not to> 
neglect the bees at that season, although discouraging. Bee¬ 
keepers attend to this, but do not open up and expose hives 
unnecessarily ; but pay attention to their wants and actions, so 
that you may profit thereby. 
A Dwindling Hive. 
“ C. R.” has a hive that has dwindled in bees considerably^ 
Not being strong in bees at first, he housed it when the weather 
was cold, taking it outside when milder, and now supposes the 
queen to be dead, which he has forwarded to me. It is not com¬ 
mendable to take bees inside, then setting them out when a sunny 
blink occurs at this season of the year. The bees get restless, con¬ 
suming more food than is necessary, they require to evacuate 
oftener than they would if let alone. 
Bees may be successfully housed if taken into a dark compart¬ 
ment with the hive entrance fully opened, which may be done any 
time between the last week of November and the first week of 
December. The bees must not be interfered with, nor light flashed, 
upon them, and should not be disturbed till the first fine day with 
a temperature of 50° to 55° in the shade, which may occur in 
January or perhaps not till March. All things considered, bee.s- 
are better to be kept outside well protected. 
The bees have dwindled away through mismanagements 
Although the bee-keeper may think the day mild the bees let- 
loose after temporary confinement fly farther, and rest longer on 
what they 'alight on, than bees do kept upon their stand, con¬ 
sequently they chill readily and are lost. 
The bee forwarded in a hollow piece of a buUrush was com¬ 
pletely smashed by the postal stamp, but I could discern by the aid 
of a lens the wax pockets and the hind leg of a worker. The- 
queen is probably still alive, but it is Avell to know that queens- 
are very apt to fly out hives that are opened up in spring. 
The clipping sent is, as “ C. R.” says, “ a poor production, and 
not in accordance with facts.” The author of it may be an “expert 
in writing, but not one so far as truth is concerned. Two miles after 
bees have been at work is by far too short a distance to move 
them. Four miles is not too far. What is said about the races of 
bees is simply nonsense, and contrary to facts. A few years sinco- 
I sent amongst others in London Mr. Alfred Neighbour samples- 
of honeycomb made by the races in question, and it was pronounced 
by one and all as the prettiest and finest they had seen, and 
these were but small samples of the bulk, much of which was. 
finer. 
The heaviest yield of honey recorded last year was gathered 
by Carniolian bees. Each hive gave nearly 100 lbs. each of 
surplus of beautiful comb, while the Punic bees made more 
weight and more progress than any other variety of bee in the 
