JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. [ September 2», 1892. 
time spent on bees. Had this succeeded there would have been an 
entire end to profitable bee-keeping, due entirely to so-called 
friends of bee-keepers. In addition to my remarks “A Hdlamshire 
Bee-keeper ” drafted at great labour a synopsis of a system for 
bee-keepers to dispose of bee products on a co-operative principle 
remunerative to bee-keepers. I mention this as introductory to 
other matters for the benefit of beginners, and I trust they will 
remember that all practical information on bees and bee-keeping 
was first promulgated through the Journal of Horticulture and 
Cottage Gardener. The best proof of this is to turn back a dozen 
years or so, and read on up to the present time the other journals 
both of this country and America. The question will naturally 
arise, Where did they get the information, and why have they 
changed their minds, and the management of bees ? Turn to the 
pages of our Journal and the answer to the question will be clear. 
What Variety or Bee is Best? 
This is a question commonly put by beginners. Were I 
restricted to one pure variety, the Carniolan would be the 
selection. With them there is little or no stinging, conse¬ 
quently no veils or nauseous smoke are necessary, and the 
purest of sweets is got in all its purity. They are the best 
winterers of any, strong on the wing, long and distant flyers. 
They are industrious honey gatherers and quick sealers. They 
are of all the least inclined to rob other hives, but there are no 
bees entirely free from this vice. They do not, like some 
varieties, raise an enormous number of queens, and, as a rule, 
they are all perfect. When swarming, they sometimes fly a long 
time, but never to a great distance. They are the best locaters 
of their site, flying directly to it, and do not mix with other 
bees, as some varieties do. To prevent hiv'ng after swarms, 
these, like all other varieties, should, on the ninth day after 
the first swarm, have all surplus queen cells removed, either 
by forming nuclei or to destroy them. Unfortunately pure 
Carniolans are not easily got now, the greater number having 
yellow bands characteristic of the Syrian bee, that bee being 
the one selected by dealers to cross others with on account of 
its beauty, and thus commanding a sale. I believe there is not 
such a bee as a pure Italian Alp bee in America, nor are 
Carniolans having yellow bands, or even those of a light colour, 
pure. 
Pure Carniolans 
are easily known by their trig shape and light coloured markings, 
but the most distinguishing featuro is when the wings are closed 
and the head of the bee towards you ; owing to the reflected rays 
the anterior part of the abdomen appears to the deceived eye as 
reddish orange. Sometimes the bees of some colonies have a few 
brown hairs at the same point, but never anything like yellow 
bands. The crosses of the Carniolan are superior, and perhaps as 
good as any ; but were I restricted to one cross only I would keep 
no other but pure Punic?, crossed if possible with Carniolan drones. 
They possess all the properties sought by modern bee-keepers. 
The untoward seasons we have had since I became possessed of 
pure ones have prevented a fair test, but at the Heather a swarm 
of pure ones were a sight to see, rarely witnessed by—A Lanark¬ 
shire Bee-keeper. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
M. M. Ketten Fr&res, Luxembourg, France.— Hoses. 
Messrs. Ph. Mayfarth & Co., Frankfort, ani 16. Mincing Lane, 
London, E.C. Machinery for Horticultural Purposes and Fruit 
Evaporating 
Messrs. W. Paul & Son, Waltham Cross.— Roses, Hardy Trees, 
Shrubs, Herbaceous Plants, and Fruit Trees. 
Tottenham Nurseries, Limited, Dedemsvaart, Zwolle, Netherlands — 
Plants, Shrubs, Roses, Fruit drees, fyc. (wholesale). 
Mr Charles Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough.— Roses, Fruit Trees, 
and Nursery Stock. ’ 
Mr. W. Wells, Earlswood, Surrey.— Chrysanthemums. 
^^All correspondence should be directed either to u 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. AI T 
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 communications 
Cypripedium (J. J. Si ).—Please send a good flower packed in 
damp moss, so as to arrive in a fresh condition. That received was 
quite dried up, owing to spending Sunday in a box with nothing to 
keep it fresh, and we cannot form an opinion of it. 
Peach and Nectarine for Unheated House (A. T. B.). — 
You could not have a better Peach than Royal George, and as a 
Nectarine none surpasses Victoria, but it is late, and if you want one 
to come in with the Peach you may select Dryden. We are not aware 
that the Violet named is in commerce ; if it is it ought to be advertised. 
Bulrushes Casting their Fluff (A Reader ).—We are unable to 
tell you what will prevent the “ flowers bursting ; ” but we have not 
found any difficulty from this after taking care to cut them with the 
necessary amount of stalk as soon as the pokers were just clear of the 
sheaths. That, it appears, you have not done, but have been too late. 
Perhaps some of our correspondents can assist “ A Reader ” to a 
preventive. 
Wintering Fan Palms (A. C.) —If it be Chamrerops Fortunei it 
may be wintered safely in an outhouse or stable stall which has a 
fair amount of light, and the roots are protected with hay or straw, only 
giving sufficient water to keep the soil moist. Should it be a Latania it 
would not winter safely in such a position. The other is nearly hardy, 
and would succeed outdoors in sheltered positions, but it ought not to be 
put out at this time of year. Keep it until next spring in the outhouse, 
and then give it a trial. 
Tea Hoses for Growing in Pots (St. J. A .).—Of the varieties 
you name the following are suitable for growing in large pots, but it is a 
great mistake to overpo' Tea Roses :—Madame Lambard, Madame de 
AVatteville, William F. Bennett, Safrano, Marie Van Houtte, Souvenir 
d’un Ami, Comtesse de Nadaillac, and Hon. Edith Gifford. Matochal 
Niel and Reve d’Or are best planted out. We have not grown the others 
you name. Adam (President) and Madame de St, Joseph are excellent, 
as also are Sunset and the indispensable Niphetos. 
Bed Spider on Violets (Inquirer). —The best remedy is plenty of 
nutriment and copious supplies of water. We always mulch our Violet 
plants out of doors with manure as soon as they become established after 
planting, and we are never troubled with red spider either outdoors or in 
frames. Manure, keep the soil moist, and there will be little or no red 
spider. Put a peck of soot in a tub, use enough water to form a paste, 
then add 60 gallons of water, and with this syringe the Violet plants, 
using the clear liquid only. This will destroy the red spider and 
invigorate the plants. 
Brompton Stocks and Wallflowers (W. JD.). — The Stocks 
having been thrice transplanted ought to withstand an ordinary winter 
in sandy soil ; still, as there is always the possibility of a severe winter 
occurring it is prudent to establish as many plants in pots as can be 
accommodated in a cold frame, or where some protection can be 
improvised. With a clear space between the rows of your Wallflowers 
the plants ought to be sufficiently hardy for passing the winter with 
little or no injury, but everything depends on the severity and continu¬ 
ance of frost. Tree leaves lightly placed amongst and over the plants 
afford good protection in severe weather. 
Tortoise in Garden (A. A.).—We presume the “small tortoise” 
is the common European species (Testudo grreca), so frequently domes¬ 
ticated, and which occurs chiefly on the western borders of the Mediter¬ 
ranean Sea. The animal has the habit of hybernating through the 
colder part of the year, and retires to some quiet corner, from which it 
emerges in spring. We have no experience of it as a household pet, but 
it seems to require no feeding, usually finding sufficient insects about 
a garden and greenhouse to satisfy its appetite. It would be at home 
in a greenhouse during the winter, allowing it to retire, and taking 
care it is not disturbed. We find it has instinct enough to find out a 
snug place to hybernate. We have no experience of it outdoors, as it 
always takes care to get where it is comfortable when the cold weather 
comes on, and generally makes its “nest” in a greenhouse or similar 
structure. 
