254 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ September \ 7 , 1891. 
method of clearing supers with carbolic acid paper. Is it to be 
applied w r et or dry ? If applied wet, and it happened to touch the 
comb, it would, I fear, give a most disagreeable odoui\ In some 
kinds of section crates, where separators are used, it would be 
difficult to insert the pieces of paper in a wet state, and I suppose 
the separators would have to be removed in either case. I agree 
with ‘ A Lanarkshire Bee-keeper ’ in disliking separators, but as 
they are generally used this difficulty must be met.” 
Clearing supers of bees by the aid of carbolic acid is the most 
cleanly and most expeditious method ever invented. Use brown 
paper of medium thickness, and preserve it for future use. Take 
a feather or brush, dip it into the acid, painting a little on both 
sides of the paper, which absorbs the acid but leaves the odour, 
and when slipped between the combs does not stain them in the 
slightest, and causes the bees to retreat downwards instantly 
before they have time to break the seals, or to soil the combs. 
To facilitate the process lay a square of carbolised paper on the 
top of the super. When bees are managed properly there is no 
necessity for separators, they are a great hindrance to the rapid 
filling of sections, and one of the things that ought not to 
have been introduced into the apiary. When the operator is an 
adept it is unnecessary to have a paper for every seam, but 
novices would do well to employ the full number.—A Lanark¬ 
shire Bee keeper. 
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 communications. 
Matricaria and Pansies (IF. Innes). — Your flowers only arrived 
just in time for this brief reference. The Matricaria, Purity, is pure 
and good, and the Pansies very effective. 
Double Violets («/. L. A).—It is impossible to name a Violet from 
a flower crushed in a letter. Yours is a dark form of the Neapolitan, as 
are Marie Louise and De Parme, the latter a trifle the darker. Comte 
de Brazza is white or nearly so. 
Position of the Frame Hive. 
It is important that the hive into which the bees are to be 
put should stand in exactly the same position as the old skep 
of bees did before they were driven, that the bees returning from 
their flight may not be lost. To do this the old stand must be 
removed, and the bees in the skep placed on one side for a few 
minutes. Great care must be taken that when fixed the hive 
must be perfectly level across the frames, as unless the frames 
hang true the combs will not be built in them and allow of 
their easy removal singly, but would be joined to the nest, and 
do away with the object for which frames are used. 
Hiving. 
Everything being ready, the hive in its place, the roof taken 
off, and quilts removed, exposing the frames, put the skep in 
which the bees are on the frames, then with the open hands 
slap the skep hard on both sides at the same time, and the bees 
will fall on the frames. Raise the skep quickly, give it another 
shake to dislodge any bees that remain in it, and before they 
have time to recover the shock put a cloth over the top of the 
hive and bees, and pull it down over the hive gently. In a 
short time all the bees will have run down and clustered 
between the frames.— John M. Hooker. 
PRICES OF PUNIC QUEENS. 
In the Journal for September 10th (page 231) “ Spread Eagle ” wants 
to know how I could afford to advertise Punic queens at 2s. 6d. The 
advertisement says, “ Virgin Queens,” these two words being in the 
largest black type, and if your correspondent does not know the 
difference between a virgin and an imported queen he has yet much to 
learn. In response to the advertisement I sent out nearly 2000 queens, 
which were safely introduced, and when spring came there was not one 
weak or dysenteric stock from them. I sent another advertisement last 
spring to the managers of the “ B. B. J.” and “ Record,” stating these 
facts, also offering virgins again for the past season at 2s. 6d. each, but 
they refused + o insert it or give the reason for not doing so, returning 
the money enclosed to pay for it. I then turned my attention to 
America, and have been sending virgins there with such success that 
next year I shall be able to dispose of all I can rear.—A Hallamshire 
Bee-keeper. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
T. S. Ware, Tottenham, London.— Catalogue of Carnations, Pceonies 
and Bulls. 
Frank Dicks, G6, Deansgate, Manchester.— Catalogue of Bulls. 
Ant. Roozen & Son, Overveen, near Haarlem.— Catalogue of Bulls. 
Daniels Bros., Norwich.— Catalogue of Bulls. 
Electric Carden Engine (Maher). —We are obligtd by the infor¬ 
mation that pumps worked by the electric current are obtainable ; but 
as we presume the manufacturers of them will not give the proceeds 
of sales to charities we can scarcely be expected to advertise them 
gratuitously. 
The Manresa Vine (Lanldiills ).—If you write to Mr. M. Davis, 
Manresa House, Roehampton, we have no doubt he will readily afford 
you an opportunity of inspecting the Vine. Putney Station is within 
two miles of Roehampton, and there are usually a number of cabmen 
waiting for “ fares.” We think tlr.s year’s crop is cut from the Vine 
and sold. 
Fasciated Xiilium (IF. Ainslie). —The photograph you send of a 
Lilium auratum, with fifty-eight flow r ers in a cluster, represents a case 
of fasciation. It is singular that we have had a stem with exactly the 
same number of flowers from a plant growing in a border. Yours has 
been grown in a pot, and has evidently received good cultural attention. 
A similar case has been illustrated in our columns. 
Large and Small Exhibitors of Roses (< 7 . <?.).—There is not 
the faintest shadow of foundation for the charge of “iboycotting 
you bring against this Journal relative to communications that have 
been received on the above subject. Every letter we have received on 
your side of the question has been inserted, and your allusions to 
“hushiogup” are wholly misplaced. It w T as intended to publish your 
contribution, but you have “ boycotted ” it yourself by your intemperate 
tone, and it will therefore not now appear. 
Fungus on Pears (JL Bf .—The cracked fruits you have sent 
are seriously infested with a fungus (Fusicladium), and nothing that 
you can apply to them now will be of benefit. All such fruits as you 
have sent should be burned. The trees do not have the support they 
need. The light gravelly soil is too poor and probably too dry for Pears, 
the fruits instead of swelling freely becoming harsh, and the cuticle splits. 
Copious supplies of liquid manure in winter would enrich the soil, and 
thick mulchings of manure in summer retain moisture in the earth for 
the support of the trees. Root-pruning judiciously and some fresh soil 
added might be of great benefit, but in the absence of knowledge 
relative to the age, growth, and size of the trees w T e cannot give 
definite advice on procedure. 
Plum Trees Gumming (V. B.). —There is no remedy short of 
sound, healthy, matured growth in suitable well drained soil. By all 
means cut back the affected parts and cleanse the 6tems, but if the soil 
is not such as to encourage healthy root action the evil will return. No 
one can say what your soil needs without knowing its nature. Perhaps 
it needs draining. If a black rich mass of humus lime would do good, 
cow manure and soot probably do harm. We have seen both Rivers 7 ' 
Prolific grow clean and fruitful in some gardens and “ gum to death ” 
in others. If jour Diamond Plums gum it is not likely that the 
varieties named would be free if grafted on them. Grow the most 
extensively those varieties which succeed the best in your soil, and if 
you like to describe its nature so that we can comprehend it we shall be. 
glad to return to the subject. 
Yellow Tomatoes (Y. CrosswelV). —Many persons prefer these, on 
the ground that they are more delicate in flavour than most of the red' 
varieties. The fruits you send of Suttons’ Golden Perfection are very 
handsome—smooth, large, uniform, and clean. We have only one fault 
to find with them, and this you will perhaps regard as a compliment— 
namely, they are too large. V6ry large Tomatoes are like huge Turnips. 
