the COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, October 25, 1859. 
(52 
sealed over. This wa3 taken away early in August, placed as a | 
super on No. 9, and sent to the heath, coining back l*r lb. heavier, j 
and all, or nearly so, sealed up. Had this same or a larger box j 
in the first instance been put on the top of the hive No. 1, I have | 
no doubt but that the result would have been at least 40 lbs., j 
instead of 11 lbs. j 
From No. 8 a swarm was desired, but as the issue was delayed ■ 
until I had had all I required, it was raised on a nadir on the 1 
7th of June. This also was filled with combs, some of which 
were used for brood, and contained only lbs. of honey. 
These two cases strongly confirm my previously conceived 
opinion, that, except under certain circumstances, the nadiring, 
or nethering, system of working hives is a very erroneous one. 
Artificial Swarms.— I have to thank “ B. & W.” for his 
courtesy in so promply replying to my request, that he would 
favour us with the results of his experience this season, with his 
artificially-made swarms. Ilis success seems to have been un¬ 
doubted. There has never, within my recollection, been a sum¬ 
mer when the formation of artificial swarms might have been so 
beneficially adopted as the past; natural swarms having been par¬ 
ticularly uncertain in their appearance ; some coming forth very- 
early, and others wasting the whole or greater part of the summer 
in vain threatenings. Two of my stocks that were left single for 
the purpose, though populous enough, did not choose to emigrate, j 
and two others, which were filling supers and had plenty of room j 
afforded them, threw off fine colonies. 
I intend to adopt this principle of forcing sw-anns more fre¬ 
quently in future. One of my stocks is tenanted by a Ligurian I 
queen, and I shall rather depend on this mode for securing the I 
increase of this species, than by running the risk of natural j 
swarms flying off altogether. 
Removing Hives to the Heath. —It will be remembered by 
the readers of The Cottage Gardener, that last autumn, my 
friend, the “Devonshire Bee-keeper,” and myself, removed 
some of our stocks to the heather. The results of our experi¬ 
ments were then satisfactory ; though late in August when trans¬ 
ferred there, they all sliow'ed an increase in weight of from 6 lbs. 
up to 12 lbs. But this season, although we removed our bees a 
fortnight earlier, with, on the whole, finer weather than they ex¬ 
perienced last year, the increase by the middle of September 
was very trifling. Two of my stocks weighed 21 lbs., and another 
44 lbs. more than when placed there; but the fourth returned 
precisely the same weight, although the super (the late nether- 
box of No. 1), weighed 1* lbs. more, besides a tolerably large 
surface of comb being sealed up, the stock, of course, being 
somewhat lighter. My friend’s two stocks exhibited rather a 
larger gain than either of mine. We can only account for our 
comparative non-success, by the long-continued dry and hot 
weather, which hurried the heather into flower, and prematurely 
scorched up the blossom, as it appeared as much faded on the 
29th of July, as in the middle of August of the preceding year. 
I should be obliged if any other correspondent covdd favour us 
with the result of his experience in this matter, as it would seem 
quite uncertain whether any benefit, or otherwise, is to accrue 
from the change, particularly when the expense and trouble of 
removal, which in my case are both considerable, are taken into 
account. 
Autumnal Management.— Without further delay all hives 
should be weighed, and if less than 15 lbs. nett must be fed up 
to that point. Most authorities give 20 lbs. as the minimum of 
weight; but I am convinced that, unless the stock is very old, 
the lesser amount named above will carry a hive through until 
the spring; when a little food then judiciously supplied will prove 
more beneficial than giving a larger quantity of syrup in the 
autumn. Those of my stocks which were periodically weighed 
last winter consumed from 5£ lbs. up to lbs., as near as I 
recollect, from the 1st of October to the 1st of March. Still 
let every one be on the safe side : it is better to give too much ! 
than too little at this season. But I have been informed of a ! 
lady in Scotland who regularly every morning after breakfast, | 
all through the summer, as surely as she feeds her cats, visits | 
her hives and administers a small portion of syrup to each. | 
My informant stated that the bees were always very idle-looking, I 
and that she never obtained an ounce of honey. 
It is the practice with some apiarians at this season to break 
up their hives from their floor-boards and clean them ; but it is 
not to be recommended. The bees have well cemented all 
crevices, to exclude damp and currents of air; so this operation 
must be deferred until spring. 
Nothing else need be done to hives at this period further 
than contracting the doorways, and seeing that every hive is 
properly covered up, so as to be perfectly safe from the possibility 
of becoming wet, and perfectly secure from the liability of being 
overturned by the winter gales. By want of care in this latter 
respect many a bee-keeper passes an anxious hour during a 
midnight storm, fully expecting to find in the morning certain 
of his hives blowm over and destroyed, which he is conscious he 
has not carefully secured.—S. B. Fox, j Exeter. 
POULTRY AND PIGEON SHOW 
IN CONNECTION WITH THE COLLINGHAM FARMERS’ CLUB. 
This Show was held at ColHngham on the 18th inst., and was 
numerously attended. There were above 200 pens. 
The Judges for Poultry were T. Challoner, Esq., of Worksop, 
and R. Chase, Esq.-, Birmingham. For Pigeons, R. Chase, Esq., 
and W. Dolby, Esq., Grantham. Their awards were as followt— 
Spanish. —First, — Brabazon. Second, W. Dolby. Chickens. —First, 
Lord E. Hill. Second, W. Dolby. 
Dorkino. —First, W. Dolby. Second, Lord E. Hill. Chickens. —First, 
W. Dolby. Second, — Spafford. 
Cochin-China (Buff and Cinnamon). — First and Second, J. Staley. 
Chickens. —First and Second, ,T. Staley. 
Cochin-China (any other colour). — First and Second, J. Staley. 
Chickens. —First and Second, J. Staley. 
Game (Black-breasted Reds),—First and Second, R. Swift. Chickens. — 
First and Second, J. Camm. 
Game (Duckwings and other Greys and Blues).—First, J. Doncaster. 
Second, — West. Chickens. —First, R. Swift. Second, J. Bradwell. 
Game (Whites and Piles).—First and Second, J. Camm. Chickens. — 
First and Second, J. Camm. 
Hamburgh (Golden-spangled).—First, E. Cope. Second, G. Daft. 
Hamburgh (Silver-spangled).—First and Second, J. Camm. 
Hamburgh (Golden-pencilled).—First, Piev. S.P k . Hole. Second, G. Daft. 
Hamburgh (Silver-pencilled).—First and Second, J. W. George. 
Poland.— First, G. W. Bootliby. Second, Rev. S. R. Hole. 
Any other Distinct Variety. —First, J. Camm. Second, — George. 
Bantams (Laced).—First and Second, R. Perry. 
Bantams (Black).—First, R. Hawkesley. Second, Rev. S. R. Hole. 
Bantams (Game).—First, R. Hawkesley. Second, J. Camm. 
Bantams (any other variety).—First and Second, J. Staley. 
Ducks (Aylesbury).—First, J. Camm. Second, W. Dolby". 
Ducks (Rouen).—First, G. Daft. Second, Lord E. Hill. " 
Geese.—P rize, G. Daft. 
Turkeys (Norfolk).—Prize, R. L. Abbott, Poults.— Prize, Lord E. Hill. 
Turkeys (any other variety).—Prize, W. Dolby. Poults, J. Smith. 
Pigeon 3 .— Almond Tumblers. —Prize,— Oates. Owls. —D. C. Brierler. 
Powiers. —Prize, G, W. Boothby. Jacobins, —Prize, R. Swift. Turbits.'— 
Prize, J. Bridget-. Balds, —Prize, T. Hives. Fan tails. —Prize,—Oates. 
Mottles. —Prize, — Oates. Trumpeters. —Prize, — Oates. Any other 
variety. —Prize, — Oates. First, G. W. Boothby (Victorias). Second, 
R. Swift (Frillbttcks). Second, T. Hives (Beards). 
OUE LETTEE BOX. 
Polands at thf, Woodstock Show.— In your report of the Wood- 
stock Poultry Show of September 27th (copied from the Oxford Journal), 
it is stated that Mr. J. K. Fowler, of the Prebendal Farm, Aylesb ry 
“ whose knowledge and experience of the feathered tribe have gaine'd 
him a world-wide reputation,” acted as Judge. Mr. Fowler may be a judge 
of some varieties of poultry, but his decision at the Woodstock Poultry 
Show proved him to be unacquainted with the Polish breed of fowls, of 
which there were only two pens for competition. Mine, which were the 
White-crested Black of the purest breed (the parents of which I purchased 
of Mr. J. Baily, Mount Street), to these Mr. Fowler awarded neither prize 
nor commendation. The other pen, which were mongrel chickens, entered 
as Silver-spangled Polands, but destitute of the characteristics of that 
breed. To these Mr. Fowler awarded a “ second prize,” No first prize 
being given to either pen. As the varieties of poultry are now so generally 
recognised (and that I have kept the different sorts for fifty years), I can¬ 
not but express my surprise at the decision.—G. W. St. John. Hector of 
Woodstock. 
Dorkings Dying Suddenly [F. <$.).—They die of apoplexy. Feeding 
them three times a-day on oats and barley makes them too fat, and a vein 
bursts on their brains. Feed them in the morning with oats and barley 
alternately, and at night with soft food, such as fine pollard and boiled 
potatoes. Feed them very moderately, and omit a mid-day meal altogether. 
Hackle of Silver-spangled IIamburghs.— I have nothing to do 
with old rules, but I constantly see Silver-spangled IIamburghs with 
striped hackles and clear tails. Let those who are in doubt, visit Birming¬ 
ham next month, and they will see that they are possible in practice, and 
that breeders may go on without being doomed to the disappointment to 
which Mr. Brent condemns them. —He Who Wrote the Answer. 
Points in Rouen Ducks (J. Choice ).—The drake’s bill in Rouen’s 
should be of a greenish yellow. That of the Duck, a dull-brown in the 
centre, tipped and edged with yellow. This latter colour is not so distinct 
in young as in old birds. Green, blue, and leaden bills are inadmissible 
for Ducks, and we have never seen a Wild Duck with either of these 
colours. To judge from Wild Ducks—and that is the only correct stand¬ 
ard—the birds should really be wild ones, not tame-bred ; and if they are 
dead they should be fresh. The colour changes and the hill becomes drv 
and shrivelled after a Duck has been dead some time. It is then an unsafe 
standard. 
Spanish Chickens at the Crystal Palace.— The owner of the pen of 
Spanish chickens at the Crystal Palace, said by Mr. B. P. Brent to contain 
two cocks, is earnesly entreated by “ Xeres” to settle the question at 
issue. They were in pen 22, and “Xeres ” will not admit his error, and 
is sure they were cock anti pullet. 
