436 
JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE AND COTTAGE GARDENER. 
[ December 3,1391. 
so that five-eighths may be left projecting and nailed firmly 
to the sides of the stand, leaning as it were 2 inches for the 
feet proper. The alighting board may either be hinged with 
brass butts or wire dools. The ladder, 9 inches broad, may be 
fastened by two bell-wire staples, forming a hinge, and one near 
each end. 
The stand is fixed to the hive by a piece of brass or galvanised 
iron, or any non-corroding metal, about 4 inches long by one- 
sixteenth thick, having four holes in a line ; and better if brass 
screws be used, and the sheet of perforated zinc seven holes to the 
inch should have one tack in the centre of the front only. I hope 
these details, although in some respects a repetition, will enable 
anyone to make their ow r n stands and floors, which form in a 
double sense the basis of a good hive. 
I have just observed water trickling from the floors of some of 
my hives, which, had they solid boards or floors, would by this 
■early time been drenched with damp, which is the main cause of 
bce3 dying within their hives, to be dragged out with a crooked 
wire so as to insure the safety of the few that may have survived 
for a time till disease contracted through damp ends their days. 
Keep a sharp look-out for damp ; do not let it have a place in or on 
the hive from either respiration or rain, and keep the bees in a 
comfortable state so that the heat from them will repel the humidity 
of the atmosphere. 
Straw Hackles. 
In order to show visitors the utility and economy of these over 
both double-cased hives and exposed single-cased ones, I have had 
several made, and every experienced bee-keeper who sees them 
is simply delighted, as much as the bees ensconced within 
their protection will be benefited, and the bee-keeper ultimately 
rewarded. 
If bee-keeping has to be a paying concern in the future, economy 
in all the details of the apiary must be studied and acted upon 
accordingly. In order to hasten the desideratum, bee-keepers 
should fraternise more with one another, giving and taking ideas in 
a friendly spirit, so that all would, by friendly discussions, be the 
better of them intellectually and financially. — A Lanarkshire 
Bee-keeper. 
TRADE CATALOGUES RECEIVED. 
Thomas Rivers & Son, Sawbridgeworth, Herts.— Catalogues of Fruit 
Trees, Ornamental Trees and Shrubs, and Roses. 
C V~A11 correspondence should be directed either to “ The 
Editor ” or to “ The Publisher.” Letters addressed to 
Dr. Hogg or members of the statf 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. 
Seedling: Apple (J. Jeffrey'). —We think the Apple is worth send¬ 
ing to the Fruit Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, and you 
can obtain the requisite particulars for forwarding a dish (one fruit 
being insufficient) from Mr. A. F. Barron, Chiswick Gardens, London. 
Address (D. B. D.). —The address you require is 171, Fleet Street, 
London, E.C. 
Pipe Sockets Splitting: (J. R.). —Have you written to the firm 
who supplied the boiler and fixed the pipes for an explanation ? Their 
reply might perhaps indicate to us the cause of the evil. We fail to 
see that any of your suggestions satisfactorily accounts for it, except 
faulty packing. 
Inarching- Vines (A. C.). —Black Alicante is more easily grown and 
more certain to produce heavy crops than those you propose to displace, 
but is relatively inferior in quality. Assuming the Vines are healthy 
and the border in good condition, strong fruiting rods could be had 
sooner by inarching young Vines to them than by planting the same 
young Vines. Spring is the time for inarching, and it is desirable that 
the young Vines be kept cool, so that the growth of the stocks may 
be somewhat in advance of them when the operation is performed. 
We have not tried the effect of establishing the Black Hamburgh on 
a stock of Mrs. Pince. 
Chrysanthemum XVIrs. Robinson Ring (II. T. SI). —We think 
if you write to the Secretary of the National Chrysanthemum Society, 
Mr. R. Dean, Ranelagh Road, Ealing, you will find that this variety has 
been certificated by the Floral Committee of that Society. It was 
exhibited at Hull last year as Golden Queen, and as that name was 
insisted on the judges refused to admit its accuracy, and they were 
right. The owner was told if he would show it as a new sport it would 
be admitted as such, but as he refused his stand was disqualified. He 
subsequently found out it was distinct from Golden Queen, and we 
believe sold the stock to Mr. R. Owen. We shall shortly publish notes 
on this and other new varieties by Mr. E. Molyneux. 
Adiantum Fronds Browned (IF. M. R.). —The fronds are 
seriously scorched and disfigured, having the unpleasant smell indicative 
of the destruction of vegetable tissues by obnoxious fumes. The scorch¬ 
ing appears such as results from fumigation with tobacco or other 
substance. Though you do not say that fumigation has been practised 
for the destruction of the black aphis frequently infesting the Cucumber 
plants, yet the appearance of the fronds point to some deleterious fumes 
having been employed. The vapour arising from troughs charged with 
liquid manure or guano water would also cause the fronds of Ferns to 
scorch, the ammonia vapour destroying their tissues, especially when 
soft, as appears to be the case with those scorched. Deficiency of air 
would not cause the scorching unless the sun acted powerfully upon 
them whilst wet. The close atmosphere and warmth would certainly 
cause soft tissues, and water resting on the fronds for any length of 
time cause their decay ; but it is not a question of damp, but of scorch¬ 
ing by fumes destructive of the tissues. 
Roman Hyacinths (T. F.). —We removed one pot, and the roots in 
that had not reached the drainage and were fresh and sound ; but on 
examining the roots of the more advanced plants we find that on these 
entering the drainage they appeared to come in contact with deleterious 
matter and were destroyed. This would affect the whole system of the 
plants, including the roots in the soil above the drainage, which become 
discoloured in consequence. Correspondents do not “trouble” us by 
asking questions ; but, on the contrary, we are glad to receive questions 
when any answers we can give may be useful. You are fully at liberity 
to write again if you wish. You observe the bulbs admittedly sound 
have had the “ usual treatment.” You must permit us to say they have 
not had the treatment in respect to soil, drainage, watering, and position 
assigned, under which the best results are achieved by successful 
cultivators. It is certain there has been a departure in some respect, 
but without the requisite details it is impossible to indicate with greater 
precision how the mishap- has been brought about. 
Saladlng for Winter ( G . Brown). —Too much wet and mode¬ 
rately severe frosts are alike injurious to Endive, causing the 
outer leaves to decay, the hearts soon following. Timely pre¬ 
cautions must therefore be taken in the matter of either storing 
or protecting where the plants now are, or the bulk of the supply 
will be over long before midwinter arrives. Advantage should 
be taken of a fine dry day to tie up a few dozen fully grown plants, the 
outer leaves well enclosing the hearts, and if these are further enclosed 
by inverted flower pots with their drainage holes stopped the blanching 
will be more rapid and perfect, and a certain amount of protection also 
afforded. Blanching can also be readily effected by means of boards and 
slates, or even hay laid over two or three dozen plants at a time, fresh 
plants being covered every fortnight or rather oftener rather than 
covering up many at a time, and which will not keep long after they 
are blanched. Much may be done towards protecting a good breadth of 
Endive by means of side and end boards kept in their places with strong 
stakes, these supporting either lights or mats or both in severe weather. 
Endive nearly or quite fully grown transplant readily, and before they 
are injured by frosts they can if necessary for the purpose of getting 
them well together be lifted and packed somewhat closely in either 
pits, frames, or cool vineries and Peach houses. Tie them up prior to 
moving them, lift with a good ball of soil about the roots, replant in rich 
moist soil, and open them out again. Being duly protected from severe 
frosts and much moisture they will keep for several months, and a few 
at a time can be blanched for use as required. Late and nearly fully 
grown Lettuces should also be taken good care of, as they will be handy 
for mixing with well blanched Endive. If there is a good bed of them 
have rough frames ready for protecting or also transplant to frames as 
advised in the case of Endive. The Cos varieties blanch best when tied 
up. Mustard and Cress are the best of the small saladings, and should 
now be grown under glass. Sow every week or ten days separately in 
boxes, using fresh rich soil each time, and thickly on a level surface, 
pressing the seed well in and covering the Mustard only, and that very 
lightly with fine soil. Place in gentle heat and keep uniformly moist 
and perfectly dark till the stems are nearly 2 inches long, then transfer 
to lighter and cooler quarters. Grown in this manner the stems are well 
blanched and the salading of superior quality accordingly. Tender 
