420 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ November 12,1891. 
morally bound to purchase them, put to test, and speak the truth 
about them so that all might learn and know. We ought to fall 
at once into the right track and be of one opinion without so much 
conflicting evidence so common in this country, as well as in 
America, not only on the Punic, but on other varieties as well. I 
have sought in vain for samples of the so-called fine yellow banded 
Italian bees of America. To say “ there is no difference between 
Carniolians, Italians, Syrians, or Cyprians ” is as amusing as it 
is absurd. Space cannot be afforded for a tithe of what has been 
said for and against the Punic bees, but the following can scarcely 
be omitted. 
Dr. Miller of America says, “ As yet I can only say that in 
appearance they are decidedly different from all other bees I have 
seen. ’ Mr. A. L. Root says, “ If nobody had told me that they were 
Punics, I should have unhesitatingly declared that they were 
ordinary black bees,” adding, however, “ very likely they are a 
little smaller than most strains of blacks, but in no respect can I 
discover at present writing that they are different,” and cautions his 
readers against them by calling to mind the experience of the 
Cyprians, Holy Lands, Carniolians, &c., all of which I found to 
be good honey gatherers when managed properly. Mr. E. L. Pratt 
also of America, gives his experience of them much as I have found 
them to be. 
Mr. Wm. Cowan gives a very bad account of African bees in 
general, but says, “We know nothing about the so-called Punic 
bees,” and thinks it “strange that we have never found such a 
race alluded to ” in what he claims “ the largest libraries of bee 
literature in the kingdom.” And he further disparages them by 
giving the lexicon meaning of the word Punic, forgetting in his 
zeal that the word has other meanings in other languages, and 
might as easily be construed into great value, as well as faithless 
and treacherous, winding up with an advice to wait for their own 
interest what experienced bee-keepers have to say about them, 
promising that he will “give reliable information when it comes 
to hand.” Mr. Cowan might for once purchase a queen for 
experimental purposes, as probably he will rely more upon his 
own than other persons’ evidence. Contrary to reports that the 
Punic bee did not gather honey, and that it was a worthless bee, 
it has proved itself a good honey gatherer, and I am in the belief 
that it will prove itself, in a good season, to be a superior bee 
in every respect. At home it is mild tempered, and does not 
offer to be spiteful. I observe they will resent an injury, but 
they do not seem to get all excited at once, never more than one 
bee attacking at a time, and this was their character at the 
Heather. Only one bee offered to sting at a time, but another 
followed, and they were unlike some other varieties, which 
attack by the thousand as the Syrians sometimes do. 
A friend, who has his bees upon the banks of Loch Lomond, 
and about four miles from Ben Lomond, one of the finest districts 
in Scotland for bees, failed for many years to get a yield of honey 
from the Ligurians which the Carniolians has given for the last 
fifteen years, and he introduced the Punic into his apiary in 1890. 
This year he has the two varieties standing side by side. As we all 
know, it has been a poor bee year, yet he has had a good yield 
from both Punics and Carniolians, being alike pleased with both, 
the difference being the Punics were handicapped, the queens of 
his best gatherers being put to depopulated queenless hives in June, 
and were pitted against swarms and unswarmed stocks. The 
Punics entered their supers at once, and one of them filled two 
-Id lb. supers, and another a 24 lb. one of Heather honey ; none of 
these, nor of the Carniolians, is thoroughly sealed, but the latter 
ohe more so, but much less in them. My friend said that although 
both varieties apparently worked equally, he was of opinion had 
the weather been favourable the Punics would have far excelled, 
and the appearance of the supers which passed through my hands 
proved this, and were paragons of beauty and neatness. Propolis, 
I saw none of it. 
It astonishes me very much to hear youthful bee-keepers 
speaking of the original British bee, and comparing it in colour 
similar to the Punic. The former in its purity, probably, they 
never saw. They are widely different in shade, and there is as 
great a difference in their hum, the Punics having the highest 
note of any variety I have heard. As winterers I have had no 
experience yet with the pure breeds, but the crosses are as good 
as any, and the best honey gatherers.—A Lanarkshire Bee¬ 
keeper. 
° # S A11 correspondence should be directed either to “ Thb 
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. 
National Chrysanthemum Society’s Catalogue (./. B .).— 
We understand that it is not intended to publish a new edition this 
year, nor have the Committee proposed to issue an appendix or supple¬ 
ment to the existing centenary edition. 
Bouis Boehmer and I&rs. Alpheus Hardy Chrysanthe¬ 
mums (TF. J. N., and Others'). —We have so many notes descriptive of 
the constancy of the former as compared with the latter, that we 
cannot at this time of pressure find space for their insertion. The fact 
is established that the one is as free as the other is “ miffy.” It is perhaps 
true, as “ W. J. N.” suggests, that “ those who recommend smaller pots 
and lighter compost for Madame Alpheus Hardy than are generally used 
for other varieties, give sound advice.” 
Grubs in Flower Beds (.7. H. TF).—These are the larvae of the 
common and troublesome weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus, which feed 
without any interruption during the autumn and winter months, attack¬ 
ing a great variety of underground stems and roots. The proper appli¬ 
cation of gas lime to the soil is always serviceable, and a dressing, 
composed of equal proportions of quicklime, soot, and wood ashes has 
been highly recommended by some who have tried it. Some have 
advised abundant watering with clear lime water, or the use of a very 
dilute solution of petroleum with a portion of softsoap added. 
Bate Grapes not Finishing Well (TF. IF.).—This usually arises 
through too late starting, overcropping, or a bad condition of the roots. 
If the first, nothing will be gained as regards the Grapes by sharp firing, 
and it will do no good after the wood is ripe, but that must be effected 
under any circumstances, yet it will not prevent the Grapes shrivelling 
when the leaves fall. When the defect in finish is due to overcropping, 
relief should be given the Vines by cutting a portion of the crop at the 
earliest convenience ;. but where it can be traced to imperfect drainage 
or bad borders no time should be lost in getting out the old soil, rectify¬ 
ing the drainage, and relaying the roots in fresh compost and near the 
surface. 
Appointments In Gardens (A Young Gardener). —It is difficult 
to fix upon the best time for “a young man to get a situation as second 
or third in a large establishment,” as such are often bespoke long before 
they become vacant. Many changes are made in late summer, and the 
most vacancies probably occur in the spring through journeymen then 
changing, and we should say that from the New Year to April inclusive 
is the most likely time for you to meet with an appointment. The chief 
thing is to make your requirement known, and afford evidence of 
qualifications in proper time to quarters through the agency of which 
such places as that you seek are filled. Advertising is often a means of 
securing places of the nature desired, and in some cases it is necessary 
to give a premium or take a low wage for the privilege of gaining 
experience. 
Removing- Stable IVIanure and leaves from a Vine Border 
(yi Subscriber). —The materials placed on the Vine border ought long 
ago to have been removed. They should now be cleared away carefully, 
as the roots will probably have run into them more or less. In that 
case the roots should be covered with a couple of inches depth of fresh 
loam, and be covered with a few inches thickness of leaves to keep the 
soil from freezing, and the lights may be replaced so as to throw off 
heavy rains and snow. The border ought to be exposed in summer, 
