March i9, 1E88. ] 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
267 
pot culture, and come into flower by the most gentle treatment long 
before they would if subjected to planting out after flowering. Any 
plants that have grown too tall or become bare at the base may be well 
cut back. Azaleas subjected to this treatment are best planted out 
directly they have been hardened, while Bhododendrons should be kept 
under glass for the next three months at least. 
Dcutzias .—Plants that have flowered may be well pruned provided 
they are in good health and in a luxuriant condition. If the plants are 
old, and their pots crowded with roots and incapable of making strong 
growth, the branches should be judiciously thinned only, merely remov¬ 
ing flowering portions that have only a terminal growth upon them. 
Grow the plants for a time in a vinery or Peach house where the tem¬ 
perature does not exceed 6.5°. Young shoots strike freely in sandy soil 
in heat if they can be kept close and shaded from the sun. They may 
be rooted thickly together in pots or pans, and afterwards transplanted 
2 or 3 inches apart in boxes, or in a frame, in which a slight hotbed has 
been made to give them a start. Admit air liberally to plants in cold 
frames that were cut back closely, but close early in the day while the 
sun is still on the frame to induce the plants to make an early growth. 
Lilacs .—Prune plants closely of Charles X. that are grown in 8-inch 
pots directly they have flowered. Allow them to break into growth in 
cold frames, and then plunge them outside about the time advised for 
Azaleas. If the pots are thoroughly crammed with roots, give them a 
small shift at once in a mixture of loam, sand, and one-seventh of 
manure. Press the soil as firmly as possible. 
Gwider Ruses CVihurnum Opulus ').—The young shoots root freely 
in heat, and if placed into 4-inch pots, and well cared for afterwards, 
they will make sturdy specimens before the close of the season. Plants 
raised by this means are useful in 5 and 6-inch pots for forcing at the 
end of the second and third season. The best method undoubtedly is to 
strike the cuttings in the open ground by inserting them in autumn 
and allowing them a season’s growth before potting. But those who 
have not followed this plan should raise stock from young wood at 
the present time. Cut back closely plants that have flowered, and place 
them into pots slightly larger, using the soil advised for Lilacs. Allow 
them to break in cold frames, and then plunge the pots outside in a 
sunny position. 
Prunus .—Cut back plants that have flowered. Allow them to make 
their growth in a Peach house or similar structure. Cuttings of P. 
sinensis fl. pi. root freely, while P. triloba, to flower it profusely, must 
be worked on the Plum stock. 
HE) BEE-KDE)PI)R, 
NOTES ON BEES. 
THE WEATHEK. 
In spite of the mildness experienced in January and the 
advanced state of vegetation at that time, the unfavourable 
February with its snows, keen frosts accompanied with cutting 
winds, has performed its work in a manner that will be dis¬ 
agreeable to many persons. Many plants that stood the lowest 
temperature of the year have succumbed to less severe but more 
protracted cold, and vegetation that was fresh and green at the 
beginning of February is now a mass of decay. Rain has been 
falling copiously, and it is to be hoped that a dearth of water has 
been averted, as seldom, if ever, at this season, have we seen the 
ground so dry and springs so low as at present. Those who are 
liable to suffer dearths of water should make some provision for 
storage. With all the rigours of an Arctic wdnter we have expe¬ 
rienced, Nature has not been dormant, for while blackened vege¬ 
tation above ground greets our eyes, underground life has been 
actively at work, and many flowers are peeping out. 
OUTWARD INSPECTION OF HIVES. 
Turning to our bees, how have they fared under the cold ? 
A glance around our hives shows the safety of every one except 
a pure S 3 'rian stock, which had succumbed after a gradual decrease 
in numbers throughout the winter, proving that they are ill adapted 
for a cold climate, and that in-and-in breeding impairs the con¬ 
stitution. After being satisfied with the state of the Syrian, the 
Carniolian wintered on one comb had my attention. My fears for 
its safety were not altogether groundless, as on the 2,6th February, 
when the thermometer stood at 'IT Fahr., the bees flew as if swarm¬ 
ing, humming loudly for twenty-four hours as if they had lost their 
queen. It is safe, how'ever, and breeding has been in progress 
during the cold spell, as many young bees were on the wing. The 
cause of the unexpected and untimely flight was, in my opinion, 
due to the necessity of the bees having a cleansing flight, and 
probably to feed a little, as the feeder has not been from it at any 
time since the bees w'ere put into the hive on the 29th November, 
This hive was more restless than the others owing to its consuming^ 
more food to keep up the heat in their exposed state than those- 
hives fully equipped for the winter’s campaign. 
The lessons it gives are—First, Bees ought to be kept in such a- 
manner that the most severe cold will not lower the temperature 
below 50’ Fahr. inside the hive, and to be kept at that, or evert 
higher. How to effect these conditions I have frequently described. 
The second lesson is that no hive should be closed to confine the 
bees longer than a few hours when snow has newly fallen, because 
if bees require to fly -they ought to have their liberty; confining 
them hastens their death within doors. A well managed and well 
furnished hive seldom requires any attention, and very seldom loses 
bees through flying in ungenial weather. The third lesson is to 
give bees every opportunity of flying out, as that lessens the risk 
of losing many bees when they fly out suddenly after a long con¬ 
finement. Although the day this hive flew was so cold few hees 
were lost. Three weeks previous, the bees of this, as well as al 
others were working, and had aired themselves perfectly, and had 
their site marked and well on memory, consequently most of the 
bees ventured no farther than a few feet from their hive, returning 
In a few seconds. 
Notwithstanding the severity of the weather during February, 
all my other hives have been breeding, and to a great extent, too. 
The one I joined the queen to at the end of January has thousands, 
of young bees hatched which have shown themselves upon the 
alighting board—in fact, so far forward is this, as well as many of 
my other hives, that were it possible the honey flow would appear 
in three or four weeks from this date, most of them would be in. 
a fit state to fill supers. 
SYRIANS AND CARNIOLIANS. 
The crossed Syrians are the most active and furthest advanced, 
but the Carniolians are also well forward. My nuclei are now much 
stronger in bees, and, as I predicted, are likely to be as forward by 
the middle of June as any—quite time enough for our district, and 
will not require any feeding whatever. I cannot vouch for that 
with the strong and furthest advanced. Every one is in full-sized 
hives, having room for every requirement of the bees except 
supering. 
FERTILITY OF QUEENS. 
I note what “A Hallamshire Bee-keeper” says at page 205- 
concerning the fertility of queens, and endorse his remarks. The 
wonder is that anyone would attempt to dispute the fact, and how 
anyone can adopt hives so much smaller than the bees require 
seems to me a greater wonder still. I know something about the 
subject in “ A Hallamshire Bee-keeper’s ” other remarks, but my 
remarks thereon must be delayed till a future occasion. 
THE STATE OF HIVES FOR EARLY DISTRICTS. 
From the description of the two classes of hives it wiU be 
observed that I put no stress whatever upon the present strongest 
ones over my weaker lot, the latter being the ones most likely to- 
turn out best from a commercial point of view. But in the sunny 
south, where honey is to be had in abundance by the 1st of April, 
and cease to be gathered in June, the usefulness of well advanced 
hives cannot be disputed. The first Stewarton super filled in the 
south of England was due to my instructions, and here, so far 
north, my hives are ready for work on the greatest emergency 
under the greatest glut of honey that is possible to be, on the 
1st of April or even earlier. The whole instructions for effecting 
the above will be found in back numbers, youthful queens being 
the key and a principal element to success. 
Writers upon bees have been telling us now is the time to crowd 
our bees on fewer combs, which does not sound like advanced bee¬ 
keeping, especially where bees ai'e wanted in April. What advice, 
would those writers give in the case of my own bees in their ad 
