THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN. November 0, 185S. 
lead. It was not heraldic, because it was not finished : it was as 
yet colour on colour. But when a little bit of pure gold ( Cal¬ 
ceolaria amplexicaulis ) was slipped in my eye was satisfied, and 
so were the eyes of several, who, in our spare moments in the city, 
talk with me about our respective flowers. 
Of course, I would not for a moment suggest this as an in¬ 
flexible rule for the garden or flower vase. As Clark says, “ it is 
only general, even in heraldry.” But many exceptions to its 
application, which might look well, would, I think, look better ! 
if brought within it. Turning to Mr. Beaton, on the “ Crystal 
Palace Bedding” (August 17, No 51(1), I find that almost all the 
beds containing two tints are composed nearly according to our 
ruli‘, except such as include pink, of which I will speak presently, 
and Tropceolum elegans, about which I must not stop to say a 
word, though I could say plenty. There are, however, three in¬ 
stances of exceptions, which, as T consider, may look well as com¬ 
posed out of the rule, but seem to me capable of improvement by 
it:—1st. Cerise Unique (rose, say red), with a centre of Helio¬ 
trope (purple). This I would either centre with yellow 
Calceolaria, or, if that be too showy for the ensemble, with those 
beautiful white Petunias, which did so well at Hampton Court. 
2nd. A bed of Hydrangea (pink or blue), with a centre of Petunia 
(purple). This bed I do not recollect, and when I say it might 
look well, I make much the same mental reservation as I do when 
admitting that “ pigs may fly.” However, I think I could im¬ 
prove it under the rule, by not giving a centre to the Hydrangeas 
at all, and by cutting them off from the green grass by a band,— 
say, of Golden Chain, or silver Cerastium tomentosum. 3rd. A 
clump of purple Zelinda Dahlias, with Ageratum—say, blue,— 
in the middle. This might, indeed, look well; but I do think 
that Garter King at Arms would not be fur wrong if he were to 
suggest “ metal on colour, if you please, Mr. Miluer : let us re¬ 
move the Alyssum, and insert some golden African Marigold; or 
white Feverfew, if you think it will last out the season.” 
Finally, exceptions may certainly be made in favour of the 
colour pink. Now, the heralds never used pink at all; but, as 
gardeners and floral decorators do, I must consider how the rule 
before u3 would work upon it. We must certainly admit this 
tint among the colours, as a variety of red ; but it is a red so 
blended, as it were, with white, that it has almost the effect of 
that metal tint, in enhancing, or being itself improved, by juxta¬ 
position with at least three of the other recognised colours,— 
viz., blue, green, aud black ; and we may, probably, add a fourth 
—purple: I have even seen a mass of pure pink (Verbenas) 
stand in mutually advantageous contrast with the fifth colour 
(in Scarlet Geraniums),—pure red. Thus, I am ready to admit 
that pink may often be excepted from the rule without disad¬ 
vantage ; aud yet how well it stands to be treated by it. Take 
one more example from the Crystal Palace. Mr. Beaton says,— 
“ Next is the magnificent bed of Lucia rosea , which I mentioned 
above, edged with a white Verbena ; but a dark crimson would 
be the best edging for so light a flower as Lucia in the full sun.” 
The improvement would not be an improvement everywhere, you 
see. The original heraldic placing—pink colour, with a silver 
edging, on green—would do in most situations; and where it 
would not, I feel pretty sure the mere substitution of a line of 
gold—say, Golden Chain —would delight the eye. Thus, I sub¬ 
mit, pink, though not bound by the ride, does not tend to upset it. 
Now, having had my say, I leave it to older hands, and 
especially to Mr. Beaton (if he will kindly consider the notion), 
to decide whether we may or may not safely say that,—“ In the 
colour-grouping of cut Jiowers alone, or of growing Jlowers with 
grass and gravel, two or more colours—of red, blue, green- 
black, purple, or their varieties—should bo relieved by the intro¬ 
duction of either yellow or white ; and yellow and white should 
not bo brought into proximity without the intervention of one of 
the above colours.”— Greenhand. 
DRIVING BEES. 
I observe in your paper, of the 26th ultimo, an article from 
your interesting friend, “ The Devonshire Bee-Keeper,” in 
which he describes the difficulty ho has experienced in driving 
his bees ; and, as in three experiments this season I have found 
no such difficulty, I think you may like to hear my plan. 
I have two bands of inch wood—the size of the bottom of a 
straw hive—placed about six inches apart, and the interval filled 
with perforated zinc. To each end of this apparatus I firmly 
affix a hive ; the full one—from which I intend to drive the 
Ijees—below, and an empty one above. Then sitting on the 
Cl 
ground, with little fatigue you can beat as hard ns you like; but 
I have never seen it take more than a quarter of an hour; and 
all the time, through the perforations, you can watch their ascent. 
I have never found them vicious, and the only fumigation I use 
is a few puffs of tobacco ere I first heave them. 
I send you a sample of our honey, which, you will observe, is 
greyish, and has a peculiar taste; and so it is in all the neigh¬ 
bourhood. What is the cause ?—A Lover oe the Lower 
Animals. 
[Your honey closely resembles that which w-e have tasted in 
Scotland, which derives its colour and flavour from the heather. 
—Ed.] 
THE REDBREAST. 
A SET little rascal, a pugnacious little upstart, and sometimes 
an ungrateful little rogue. How often have my children, midst 
all the cold months of winter, whilst worms, grubs, and insects 
were safe in some snug retreat, or held fast in iron grip ! —yes, how 
oft, for many winters past, have they ministered to the daily- 
wants of some sturdy and bold begging Robin, who, when the 
first thaw commenced, started off without one good bye, nor ever 
cared to return, even to see if his old friends were so much as 
living, that he might come again next winter! But, generally, 
gratitude is very evanescent with him. A et there are exceptions, 
as you shall hear. 
Many years ago (I wish it were 2, instead of an 0 added to tlio 
same) I was staying at Monmouth, and, on the road to the tin- 
works of Kedbrook, somewhat about a mile or more distant, chance 
led me into some fruit gardens. It was a bitter cold day in Decem¬ 
ber, and a little lounging gave attraction to a fruit garden in winter, 
a place few would choose for a promenade at such a season. 
Whilst ruminating near the havoc of Brussels Sprouts, Curly- 
Greens, and dead Raspberry canes, the old market-gardener 
returned, and very properly insinuated his desire to become 
acquainted with my business in his freehold at such a time and 
season. Matters wore easily explained and arranged, as on we 
walked towards his cottage at the top of the garden, when out of 
a small summer-house, at a distance of some 100 yards, a plump 
little Robin came flying straight towards us and perched on my 
companion’s liat, now on his arm and then on his breast. I was 
perfectly astounded, and had it been a vulture instead of a Robin 
my surprise could not have been greater. A crust of bread, ever 
ready in the gardener’s pocket, was at Bob’s service, and from the 
mouth of his protector frequently its meal was taken, whilst 
perched, falcon-like, on the good man’s wrist. I learnt that 
some three years previously, during a very severe winter, this 
Robin had perched on my friend’s arm whilst engaged in making 
his frugal repast on bread and cheese, about the same spot, on a 
most nipping, driving day, evincing no fear of him, or of his 
family-, at any time. It was a hen, and had had many broods, 
but would never suffer one of them to approach her benefactor. 
This was a grateful Robin, it is true; but it was in the country, 
and in a garden, and much depends on confidence and association 
to beget familiarity.— W. H., Exeter. 
NIGER EXPEDITION. 
We have been favoured with the following letter, written to a 
friend in Edinburgh, by Mr. Charles Barter. It is dated August 
9tli, when they were at the “ Encampment Jeba, River Kworra, 
Nupe country, Central Africa — 
“ I left England with Dr. Barker two months before the ex¬ 
ploring steamer sailed. This arrangement allowed me to visit 
most of the settlements along the west coast, from Senegal to 
Fernando Po. I stayed nearly a month at Sierra Leone, spend¬ 
ing the time delightfully, in botanizing the mountains of the 
peninsula. The low hills near the town arc clear of trees, but the 
high mountains are still clad in their primitive forest. The trees 
are covered with epiphytes in these moist regions. Orchids and 
Ferns are abundant. 
“ I recognised many old hothouse acquaintances, but a large 
number were total strangers. Much remains to bo done here, 
where a botanist has never resided. Sierra Leone has a popula¬ 
tion of 60,000 liberated Africans, and many of them are wealthy 
people. But there are no public gardens here, as in other 
colonies ; cultivation of all kinds is, therefore, pretty much in the 
negro style of doing things. The people have been well crammed 
witli orthodox theology. 
“ I stayed six weeks at Fernando Po. This island was given up 
