253 
J 
OCT. 20 
THE RUBAI. NEW-YORKER. 
and easily found in any colony of bees, though 
only one among thousands, by her long abdomen. 
This added length is necessary, as the abdomen 
of the queen is an immense store-honse for 
eggs. 
As intimated above, the queen lays all the 
eggs. I have repeatedly noticed a queen layiug 
eggs at the rate of over four a minute. This 
would make over 5000 daily, and it is a fact that 
a queen does deposit over 2000 daily in the 
honey season. Now, this immense number of eggs 
all grow in the multitubnlar ovary of the queen. 
The ovary is a double organ, situated within the 
abdomen, and from either half, at the posterior 
extremity, arises a tube, through which the eggs 
pass. These tubes soon unite iuto the common 
oviduct, through which the eggs pass to the 
outer world. On the side of the common ovi¬ 
duct, and connected with it, by a small tube, 
is a small Back, called the spermatheca. Now, 
when the queen meets a drone, this sack is filled 
with seminal fluid from the male, and as the 
Bpeimatheca is Hurrouuded with muscles we see 
how the queen can impregnate the eggs or not, 
as she wills to lay worker or drone producing 
eggs. 
As the queen mates but once in her lifetime, 
the seminal or male fluid in the spermatheoa 
becomes less and less, as she is constantly 
drawing from it when laying. 
Hence our third proof. It is found that aged 
queens oftou produce only drone eggs that 
is, from all the brood, whother in large or small 
cells, come forth only drone or male bees. 
Then if our theory be correct, there must bo an 
absence of seminal fluid in the spcrmatheca, 
and so it is. Examination shows it to be utterly 
depleted. Such queens no longer useful, lose the 
regard of the worker-bees, and are dispatched 
with aB little show of affection as are the drones 
whon they are no longer necessary to the wel¬ 
fare of the colony'. 
Now, it may be nuked : Is the drone progeny of 
a pure-bred queen pure, notwithstanding the 
fact that she may have mated with an impure 
drone? Our most observing apiarists say yes. 
Yet if we give credence to the statements of our 
best chicken-fanciers, that a pure-bred hen, 
once impurely mated, is ever after impure, and 
liable to produce mougrolB, even years after¬ 
ward, though only covered by a pure cock; if 
we believe that a hen may be rendered impure 
by some subtile impress bestowed in the conju¬ 
gal act, wo may then study well before wo say 
that pure drones can come from impurely-mated 
queens. 
Again, if evolution is the true theory ol' the 
origin of all animals, and there is relationship, 
blood relationship more or less remote between 
all—and surely the similar structural and func¬ 
tional peculiarities of organs ami organisms 
among vertebrates and invertebrates are more 
and more found to argue this w'ay, as they are 
more accurately studied—may we not wonder if 
the sex of our higher vertebrates is not controlled 
by I he number of spermatozoa that enter the 
egg? 
Physiologists know that several spermatozoa 
are required to fertilize the eggs of our higher 
animals. Now, if the males of our highest in¬ 
sects come from nun-fecundated eggs, may wo 
not half believe that among our higher domesti¬ 
cated animals, eggs that produce females re¬ 
ceive many spermatozoa, while those that re¬ 
ceive bnt few, produce males ? Such a theory, if 
true, removes the matter from our control, and 
it really has more to sustain it than any other 
theory I have ever heard advanced, oven if that 
is very little. 
Our space precludes other matters equally 
interesting, such as the development of the 
queen habits and instincts of bees etc. I can 
only say that all who read carefully from this 
volume in nature, will find it rich in the most 
interesting matter. 
Industrial ^odetifs, 
THE QUEENS COUNTY, (L. I.) FAIR. 
This Fair is probably the best County Fair in 
the country. The Society has convenient 
grounds ; the farmers who patronize the Asso¬ 
ciation are quite well-to-do, and therefore the 
incentive to exhibitors to display wares is pow¬ 
erful. Mineola, L. I., is easy of access by rail 
and road, consequently it is no great event when 
upwards of ten thousand people are fnBide the 
incioaure. 
The fair this year was a success in all respects ; 
every department was well filled, exhibitors were 
full of business, especially the pests that infested 
the approach to entrances, who were affluent of 
pop beer, also the other and larger kind. The 
insinuating man with a target and air rifle, as 
also his coadjutor of the camera, were much 
more plentiful than diamonds and not so pre¬ 
cious. 
As usual Domestic Hall was the great feminine 
attraction. In it were accumulated specimens of 
civilized wampum in the shape of variegatod 
and much patched quilts, also wax flowers and 
fruits, those pastry-looking counterfeits of beau¬ 
tiful natural objects. Prize cakes and pies were 
abundant and various kinds of wine to w ash the 
same down. Higgins, the soap-boiler, was out 
in great force, and supplied enough saponaceous 
matter to wash away the sins of at least half the 
Island. Duryea’s Glen Cove St arch was attract¬ 
ively exhibited, and its influence must have 
overflowed and penetrated the neighboring ex¬ 
hibit, as a more stiff and unpleasant attendant 
I never have seen in churge of the Pleasant 
Valley Company’s fine display. 
Flowers and Fruits were the piece Ue resistance, 
and a circular inclosure in the middle of the 
Hall was tastefully decorated with a pyramidal 
design in which Colenses were quite conspicuous. 
Wm. Burgess, Glen Cove, occupied the most of 
this Bpaoe, and secured a first premium for Dah¬ 
lias, Phloxes and Cut Flowers. A Japanese vine, 
Akebia quinata, was the curiosity of the collec¬ 
tion. R. P. Jeffray «S Bon, South SmithviUe, 
secured an award for Luntanas, and George 
Lucas, professional florist, Glen Cove, was com¬ 
plimented for his variety of cut flowers. 
Mrs. Mary Titus and Wm. Fleet, Mineola, 
also received premiums for amateur displays. 
0. L. Allen, Queens, had a conspicuous display 
of Verbenas, Dahlias, and the best collection of 
Ferns and Foliage plants. John J. Ketcham, 
Glen wood, was a strong competitor in the same 
direction. C. L. Allen had the largest and 
finest floral design. 
Isaac Hicks A Sons, Old Westbury, were large 
exhibitors of frnits. The display was of uniform 
excellence and of groat variety. W. 11. Smith, 
Hoaringtown, was awarded first premium for t he 
best single plate of apples. Er.woon Valenti ne, 
Glen Cove. Mrs. P. O. Barnum, Hempstead, 
Daniel Brink erhoff & Son, Manhasset, and 
,T. 8. Van Wvok, Roslyn, showed an oxcollent 
plate of fruit and were suitably uoticod. 
Peter Ross, gardener to Thomas Messenger, 
Great Neck, received a premium for foreign 
grapes and exotic oranges. Mr. Ross mado a 
most tempting display ; E. 8. Coi.es, Oystor Bay, 
also showed fine fruit in the same class. 
B. K. Bliss A Sons, owing to their vory largo 
and excellent display of Seed Potatoes, embrac¬ 
ing 500 varieties, were givoti space in this Hall 
and the display proved to bo one of the most at¬ 
tractive features. 
The samples of butter wore larger than those 
shown at the State Fair. Wm. Grozier, North- 
field, had three very fine samples, which, as seen 
through the glass case, appeared quite the best 
samples, hut they received no premium. 
The Davis Sewing Machine, Watertown, N. Y. 
took all the honors in their line, and they were 
well merited. 
One feature of Domestic Hall was more prom¬ 
inent than pleasant. Some tuneful member of 
the management thought joy would be more un- 
conflned, probably, if a little music graced the 
occasion, and accordingly a brass band of broth¬ 
ers was perched over the east entrance, where at 
short intervals it wailed out the Sweet Bye and 
Bye, and other morceaux of like character that 
had a marked effect on one at least of the visit¬ 
ors. 
The stock pens were filled with fine cattle, and 
in number nearly rivaled the State Fair.. Jerseys 
predominated, Mr. Ckozier taking the Heard 
prize. B- L. Sevan Jr., Oyster Buy, and Wm. P. 
Douglass exhibited good stock and secured 
premiums. 0. H. Dana, of tho Sun, was an 
exhibitor of Jerseys. Tuoh. B. Smitu, Stony 
Brook was awarded a first premium on Devon 
Bull *• Prince Albert,'* which headed a line dis¬ 
play of this breed There were a few Holstein 
and Ayrosbires and a sprinkling of Southdowns, 
Hampshire Downs, and Long wools among sheep. 
Chester White and Poland Chinas were the fav¬ 
orite breedt) of hogs. 
The Poultry was numerously and well repre¬ 
sented, being liner, and greatly in excess of the 
simdar display at the State Fair; turkeys and 
pigeons were out in force. 
Long Island is noted for its fine horses, and 
on this occasion the reputation of the locality 
was well sustainod. The track was one of the 
most attractive features of the fair, and a great 
success in tho eyes of those who consider this 
feature a desirable one. 
The New York Plow Co., had much the finest 
and largest display of agricultural implements, 
and exhibted some striking noveltios, among 
which was an independent reversible self- 
sharping plow point, whoso merits will he fully 
discussed in a future issue. A. I J . Dickey, 
Racine, Wisconsin, showed his Fanning mill in 
full operation. The general dealers, such as 
A. B Cohen, R. C. Reeves, Collins A Co., 
and It. H. Allen & Co., made fine displays, 
among which we noticed the products of Young- 
love A Co., Ciiadbgrn and Coldweil Mfg. Co., 
Heebner & Sons, and other well-known makers 
Foust's Hay Loader, the “ Champion” mowing 
| and reaping machines as also the *• Eureka” mow¬ 
er were on the grounds and their merits explain¬ 
ed to those interested in such machinery. Em- 
MF.R80N A Tatting, Long Island City, displayed 
their “Challong” Washer, Rinser, Wringer 
and Ironing-table and miscellaneous machine 
that led captive wondering housewives. The 
Washburn and Moen Mfg. Co., displayed a sec¬ 
tion of their barb wire fence, which excited in¬ 
quiry that, unfortunately, weut unsatisfied 
because there seemed to be uo attendant at 
hand to answer questions. 
A tent was devoted to vegetable products and 
it is faint praise to say that the display was 
remarkable. Tho running comments of visi¬ 
tors were composed mainly of ejaculations and 
exclamations. R. Ingraham, Hempstead, showed 
three baskets of Suow-flakeu and Early-rose 
that were perfection, and secured a well de¬ 
served first premium. 
The President of tho Society. Thos. Messin- 
ger carried off the palm for 6weet Potatoes ; and 
John Bingham, gardener to Thos. Clapham, 
ltoslyn, exliibitod a new variety of water-melon. 
Its characteristics are a very smooth, satiny rind, 
color very pale green, size medium. The melons 
were uncut, thus preventing a completer di;-crip- 
lion of the fruit. Hubbard squashes, mangel- 
wurzel and other beets, pumpkins, and every¬ 
thing in this line were of enormous dimensions. 
Altogether, the fair was a gratifying success, 
and tho officers of tho Society should be con¬ 
gratulated for their share of the labor that led 
to the result. The Rural tenders its acknowl¬ 
edgements for courtesies received, c. n. e. r. 
BRIEFLETS. 
The Flesh of a Fat Animal has been proved 
by a variety of analyses to be richer in fixed ma¬ 
terial than that of a lean one; and though the 
flesh of the latter, possesses a more uniform 
quality, yet a poor part in the former will pro¬ 
duce more fat in tho consumer than the best 
part of the latter. 
Carrots for Horsf.s, experiments have shown, 
are most beneficial when fed in conjunction with 
oatB. Alone, they are less nutritious than oats 
alone ; but when fed together, in tho proportion 
of, say, two quarts of oats and two of sliced car¬ 
rots to a mess, tho result will bo more satisfac¬ 
tory than if either were fed separately. 
A new enemy to orain has lately been dis¬ 
covered in a cargo of barley discharged at 
Amsterdam. It is a small, microscopic mag. 
got, of an uuknowu species, and besides the 
injury it inflicted on the grain, its presence 
there prodtioed serious illness and a. peculiar 
eruption on the skin of all who came in contact 
anywhere with the cargo. 
To Facilitate the Parturition or Cows, the 
administration of a few handfuls of linseed with 
their drink for three or four weeks before tholr 
calving, is strongly recommended by a writer in 
the Landvrirth, a Gorman agrioultural paper, 
la over thirty years' practice he has always 
found it to act beneficially, auu moreover, it in¬ 
creases the secretion of milk, decreases inflam¬ 
mation and constipation, and forms a certain 
remedy its retention of afterbirth. 
To Drain a Depression in a Field, whore a 
clayey or hard-pan subsoil prevents tho sinking 
of rain water, and the lay of the laud is unfav¬ 
orable for ordinary methods of drainage, first 
dig a hole as if for a well through the imper¬ 
vious stratum at the bottom of tho hollow, fill 
it up to tho brim with refuse stoneB, remove the 
excavated earth so as to allow tho surface water 
free access to the pit, and standing water will 
never injure the grass or grain crop in that part 
of the field. 
Marking Sheep is best done with Venetian 
red, a cheap paint, only a few cents a pound, 
and one pound will mark a thousand. Take 
a pinch of the dry powder and draw the en¬ 
closing thumb and fingers through tho wool at 
the spot you wish to mark, loosening the pow¬ 
der as you do so, and it will combine with tho 
oil in the wool and make a bright red mark that 
the rains will never wash out, and which, with¬ 
out injuring the wool, will endure from one 
shearing to another, while it can be readily 
cleanBed out by the manufacturer. 
The Duties of Farmers’ Wives, in olden 
time, are set forth in a treatise “ The Wyve's 
Occupation," by Sir A. Fitziiehueet, who, in 
the days of the polygamous Eighth Henry, BayB : 
“ it is a wyve's occupation to winnow all manor 
of cornea, to make malte, wash and wrynge, to 
make heyo. ehere come, and in time of uedo, to 
help her hUBbande to fill Hie mucke wayne, or 
dounge carte., dryve the plougho, to lode heyo, 
come and such other, and to go and ryde to tho 
market to sell butter, obese, mylke, egges, ehek- 
yns, capons, hennes, pygges, gese, and all manor 
of cornes.” 
Coal Asher as a Fertilizer aro said to he 
very beneficial for tomatoes and potatoes, and 
to a less extent for peas and beans. Moreover, 
theyjmprovo the mechanical condition of the 
soil, and are therefore especially beneficial to 
clayey and rigid land generally. They should 
be worked iu deeply aud uniformly in the pro¬ 
portion of, say, one part of ashes to two of 
mold. As it takes a loDg time to decompose 
them, their fertilizing properties aro slow in 
action, but continuous. To obtain tho best ad¬ 
vantage from their use, some other kind of man¬ 
ure should be applied in conjunction with them. 
As there are seldom enough for field culture, the 
garden is the best place in which to use them, 
and inasmuch as they are generally considered 
mere inconvenient refuse, all the advantage 
secured from their use, will be a clear gain. 
Exposing manure to air, either in the farm 
yard, or still worse in small heaps in tlia open 
field, causes tho loss of a considerable amount of 
its beneficial properties owing to tlmevaporation 
or escape of some of its fertilizing gases into the 
surrounding air. By sowing a bushel or two of 
gypHiun over the surface of tbeso heaps, how¬ 
ever, and then super-imposing a layer of loam, 
the deterioration, unless tho weather bo very 
wot, will bo extremely slight. This, as it. readily 
absorbs tho volatilo gasos that, are ever striving 
to escape into tho atmosphere, will itself become 
rich, and may bo advantageously applied to crops 
requiring animal or vegetable manure. The 
gypsum also arrests tho ammonia which freely es¬ 
capes from animal excrement, and retains it for 
tho sustenance of the crops to which it may be 
applied. 
The necessity of potash for vines has been 
demonstrated In France by an elaborate series of 
experiments extending from 1870 to 1875. A 
hundred plots, each about, feet square, were 
planted with a single variety of vine apiece. 
Every year all were treated alike except as re¬ 
gards manure. One plot, was constantly en¬ 
riched with a complete manure made up of sev¬ 
eral ingredients ; while from each of tho others 
was successively eliminated one of tho constit- 
ucut.elements of the manure in question. Thus, 
while one plot received tho complete manure, 
nitrogen was taken from that applied to the 
second, phosphate from the third, potash from 
the fourth, lime from the fifth, and so OR, while 
one plot was loft altogether nmnanured. The 
result showed that where potash was applied and 
the other elements successively eliminated, the 
gfowth of the vine and the yield of the crop 
presented no sensible difference, proving conclu¬ 
sively that potash is indispensable to the vine- 
Despite the absence of other substances the vine 
will flourish, but if tho potash be omitted and 
other fertilizers abundantly supplied, not only 
will tho vine fail to produce a crop, but in course 
of time tho leaves will become few and so weak 
as not to be able to resist the action of the wind 
or exposure to the sun, and consequently fall a 
prey to mildew. Similar experiments were made 
with reference to potatoes, with like results. 
Tke use of wood ashes which contain a great 
deal of potash is, therefore, excellent both for 
vines and potatoes. 
f nhstrial Implements, 
THE I. X. L. FEED MILL. 
These machines now offered to farmers 
are admirable Feed Grinders and there is no ex¬ 
cuse for bad grinding or a poor quality of 
“ feed.” 
They are made by the U • 8. Wind Engine & 
Pump Co., Batavia, Ills., and are all iron, ex- 
I except the hopper. All the parts combine 
strength and durability and are admirably pro¬ 
portioned to the work required of them. As 
everything subject to wear or damage, is made 
iu duplicate, repairs can be bad at small cost 
and little trouble. 
Tho grinding plates have a grinding surfaoeon 
both Bides, it being only necessary to turn them 
when one side becomes dulled, which will not 
happen too frequently in any event, as the plates 
are made of tho best white chilled metal. When 
quantity and quality of work are considered, the 
mill requires bnt little power to operate it. Its 
capacity is from ten to twenty-live bushels of 
feed per hour, according to size of mill used. 
These mills were patented by Halladay & 
ItUGGLEs, some toil years ago, and have since 
been greatly improved. Where used, (and their 
introduction has been general,) they have met all 
reasonable requirements and satisfied tho ex¬ 
pectations of purchasers. 
Used in connection with a wind power, such 
as the Halladay Standard Geared Mill, for in¬ 
stance, they yield tho best results at the least 
expense. Particulars may be had by addressing 
the manufacturers. 
