TH1C COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, July 19, 1859 
234. 
and West, of England, Beverley, Sheffield, Ac. I would, how- | 
ever, in alluding to this breed, desire to follow up the remarks of 
Mr. Hewitt, by urging upon our Poultry Committees the justice j 
and desirableness of dividing the classes for this breed into i 
“ White” and “ Coloured,” and also giving a class for “ Single j 
Cocks.” Erom the result of some of the recent exhibitions, it is j 
clear the Coloured have no chance against a really good pen of the j 
White ; audit is hardly fair to compel exhibitors of both varieties j 
to show in the same class. I hope to see this alteration made in j 
the Winter Show at the Crystal Palace ; and from the large j 
number of White Malays kept in the neighbourhood of the me¬ 
tropolis, I have no doubt but a large number of entries will be 
made in both classes.—F. W. 
KEEPING PIGEONS’ EGGS. 
“ How long may Pigeons’ eggs bo kept prior to their being 
put under the hen to halcli them, in case the hen which laid 
them is a bad sitter, or that the cock bird has died, or that the 
eggs are wished to be sent away to a friend ? 
‘‘Also, the age of birds to breed from: how young? And 
the age to cease to breed from : how old ? ”—E. G. M. 
[Pigeons’ eggs, if kept in a cool, dry place, will, I believe, keep 
good for hatching for a fortnight. Young Pigeons generally 
begin to breed at six months old ; a little sooner or later accord¬ 
ing to the time of year. At eight years, Pigeons become less 
productive. I have had one breed well at twelve, and I heard 
of one still productive at twenty.— R. P. Burnt.] 
EXOTIC HONEY BEE. 
I hate just been favoured with a sight of a letter (dated 5th 
July), addressed to a friend by H. C. Hermann, Apieulteur, of 
Tamins-by-Chuz, Canton Grissoti, Switzerland. The writer’s 
object is to introduce to the notice of English apiculturists a 
native bee, of which it ia possible some of your readers may have 
knowledge. M. Hermann is but imperfectly acquainted with our 
language; but with a little emendation and abridgement lie shall 
speak for himself. “ I take the liberty to make you an offer of 
bees of the yellow Ligurish (?) race. This species of bees is here 
at home in the Italian Switzerland, and is not in any other 
country. It is much greater than the common sort you have in 
England; has two red circles, and is more gentle; makes more 
progress in making honey as well as bee-swarins, and seldom they 
do prick (sting ?) From this race I send a great many to 
France, Germany, and Bohemia; as this species is of great utility 
for the experience, science, and practice of bees.” The writer, 
moreover, informs us in conclusion that “ I make no other things 
than cultivations of bees.” On reference to an article on foreign 
bees in the “ Naturalist’s Library ” (I believe by Dr. Dunbar). I 
find as follows “ Besides the Apis mellifica, which has extended 
itself over the greater part of Europe, the Apis liguslica of 
Spinola, A. ligurienne of Latreille, is cultivated with success in 
Italy, and is probably the same species that is found in the 
Grecian Archipelago. In its physical character it nearly re¬ 
sembles our own hive bee; the difference consists in the two first 
rings of the abdomen, and the base of the third being of a pale 
reddish colour instead of brown.” 
I am led to conclude that the bee here described and that of 
M. Hermann are the same; and it would much redound to tlie 
credit of some of our apicultural associations if they would turn 
their attention in this direction. A few years ago I recollect 
hearing of a stock of foreign bees in the possession of a gentleman, 
I think near Derby, a good deal answering to the foregoing 
description. At tins travelling season of the year it is not an 
unreasonable speculation that some curious English apiarian may 
find himself in the neighbourhood of Tamins-by-Clmz. If such 
a one will favour us with the result of his inquiries on the spot, 
and other needful information towards the introduction of these 
strangers amongst us, he will deserve well of his country.-—T. 
BEESWAX, POLLEN, HONEY, &c. 
“Me. Wighton is right this time; bees will fabricate new 
comb from old wax. This fact has only recently come under 
my notice.” Thus writes (privately to me) an apiarian friend, 
and co-reader of The Cottage Gardener. And, singularly 
enough, this very morning (July 1), I have had ocular demon¬ 
stration of the same fact in one of my own hives, into which I 
had placed a quantity of old comb before putting into it a couple 
of united swarms about a week ago. The bees have builded 
upwards as well as downwards, and evidently have worked up 
the old materials as a foundation for their new combs. I thank 
Mr. W. for his offer to send me a specimen of similar comb, 
which, however, is now unnecessary. The fact is abundantly 
proved. 
I observe that Mr. Wighton, at page 188, again asserts that 
“ the same state of weather which is favourable for flowers pro¬ 
ducing pollen is equally so for honey.” Also, that bees “ never 
collect pollen alone, though, of course, they often do honey.” 
Surely this is rather “ reckless ” writing in the same paragraph 
in which he states that “ that curious process is little known.” 
I can only repeat that my experience of bees collecting honey 
and pollen is totally at variance with the above statement. More 
on this subject it is unnecessary for me to say. I will only add 
that I do not feel compelled to drop my incognito (such as it is) 
at Mr. Wighton’s challenge, as I am wholly guiltless of having 
“ taunted ” him “ for having exposed false theories,” &c. I have 
objected, on the contrary, as all the world knows, to his putting 
forth theories, not necessarily “ false,” but, at least, unsupported 
by facts; and, as I believe, for the most part, erroneous. 
Since writing the above several days have elapsed, during 
which, we had some severe thunderstorms and abundance of 
rain, which have ushered in the present glorious old-fashioned 
summer weather. Now it is curious (and it goes against Mr. W.’s 
theory) that my bees have suddenly recommenced collecting 
honey with activity and success after a long period of much 
pollen, and little honey gathering. June has been a fine month 
on the whole, somewhat dry, but extremely favourable to the 
bloom of all kinds of flowers; and yet my six colonies, while 
thriving extremely well as regards population (which supposes 
an abundance of pollen), have scarcely added to their stores 
since the beginning of the month. There may be honeydew 
about, although I see the bees very active among the flowers ; 
but be this as it may, I conclude that there often is much pollen 
with little or no honey in the flowers.—B. & W. 
DO BEES MAKE WAX OE HONEY? 
I think I have positive proof that they do. I have several 
late swarms of bees in the queen bee-hive, and in February I put 
some pieces of comb on the top of the hive, and as they ate the 
honey out, I would refill it. The pieces of comb were from one 
to t wo inches apart, and while there was snow on the ground and 
so cold that they did not go out, they made new combs between 
the pieces and connected them together—made perfect cells as 
they do in summer. If they do not make wax from honey, will 
some one please inform me what they made it of in this last ? 
The comb is free for inspection.— S. P. Thus dill.— ( Prairie 
Farmer.) 
OUR LETTER BOX. 
Rats (.-In Old Subscriber ).—Try phosphorus pills put into their hurl'ows 
and runs, out of the reach of your fowls. 
Salt for Fowls (Idem ).—Our correspondent would be obliged by 
“ the Fermanagh Irishwoman,” stating the quantity of salt she gives to 
her fowls, and how she administers it. Our correspondent says that salt 
has been tried, “ but always with fatal effects.” 
Poultry House Plans (-).—Buy our “ Poultry Book for the Many,” 
and a carpenter will give you an estimate for the one you select. 
Andy Handy. —We require your direction for a letter from Mr. Brent. 
Runs eor Fowls (J. Hollins ).—Let them have an open run most 
certainly, rather than a confined space—thev will be the more healthy. 
Buy our “ Poultry Book for the Many.” For sixpence you will find tin 
answer to yonr other queries, and other useful information. 
LONDON MARKETS.— July 18. 
POULTRY. 
'lhe trade is gradually falling off, and the extreme heat of the weather 
makes a correct quotation difficult. A few- very fresh goods make larger 
prices than they would if the heat were less. 
Each—s. d. «. d . \ Each—s. d . s . d . 
Large Fow'ls. 5 0 to l> 6 ; Turkeys. 0 0 to 0 0 
Smaller ditto . 3 0 „ 4 0 • Pigeons . 0 8 „ 0 9 
Chickens . 2 0 „ 3 6 ! Guinea Fowls . 0 0 „ 0 0 
Geese. 5 0 „ 6 6 Rabbits . 1 4 „ 1 5 
Ducks . 2 0 „ 3 0 Wild ditto. 0 8 „ 0 9 
