31S 
COLLECTION* AND RECOLLECTIONS. 
ground of the garden. It appears, however, that this precaution was 
unnecessary, as the herbage grew very vigorously, and the Waves 
remained, and were but slightly injured by the frost until the roots 
were examined. Although the tuber planted did not weigh halt an 
ounce, the produce weighed upwards of tour pounds. Besiues the 
family at Ropers, several other botanists had visited and watched the 
progress of this oxalis, and when a few of the tubers weTe boiled, ad 
the party admitted that, much as they resembled the potatoe. their 
flavour was decidedly superior. This result is very promising, and 
when it is recollected that our common potatoe ; Solatium tuberosum,) 
also from South America, was confined to gardens more than a cen¬ 
tury, its tubers being small and watery, we may reasonably expect 
that cultivation will do much for the new plants. The -terns were 
numerous, large, and diffuse; the flowers, which appeared in August 
were yellow, and slightly notched ; hence the epithet At 
present the tubers somewhat resemble small kidney potatoes, incli¬ 
ning however to grow in an aggregate form. 
A Ciriocs Method of Managing Bees, in Egypt.— In 
Bishop Pocoeke s Travels in the East, is the following passage. *'* If 
I am rightly informed, they have an extraordinary custom in rela¬ 
tion to their bees in Upper Egypt- They load a boat with hives a: 
a time when their honey is spent; they fall down the stream all 
night, and take care to stop in a place by day, where the diligent 
animal may have an opportunity of collecting its honey and wax : and 
so making a vovage of six weeks or two months, they arrive at Cairo 
with plentv of honey and wax, and find a wood market for both.’ 
I am not sufficiently acquainted with the management of bees, to 
know how far it is possible, occasionally, to move the hives without 
injury; but if it could be safely done, it appears to me, that much 
benefit might accrue from sometimes removing the hives near to pla¬ 
ces where the supply of honey is abundant. Perhaps some of verur 
corre-pondents who are well acquainted with bees, will favour ns 
with their opinions on the subject- I. T. 
To Destroy Insects on Fruit-Trees. —Allow me to propose 
the following wash, for destroying the various srubs and insect: 
which are so mischievous to the fruit-tTees. Take of water through 
which coal-gas has been passed, three gallons; floor of brimsto: e, 
one pound; and of soft-soap enough to make the whole into a thin 
paste, to be laid on with a painter's brush- It must be mixed over 
the fire, and it can be done so with perfect safetv, for it is not in¬ 
flammable. Many insects deposit their eggs in the 1/ark, or in the 
young buds; and their larvte or caterpillars do the great t mi ( hiet 
