THE COTTAGE GARDENER AND COUNTRY GENTLEMAN, February 15, 1859. 
313 
losing (I think in the year 1854), nearly the whole of my crop | 
from disease—which had been more or less the case for three 
years previous—I became so disheartened by failure, that I nearly 
determined to give up growing them altogether. However, I 
thought I would change my mode of planting, and “ try again.” 
I procured a quantity of decayed leaves in the autumn, and 
these, with a good sprinkling of soot, I used instead of manure, 
in planting, and was gratified by an excellent crop nearly free 
from disease. 
The following year (1856), I tried the same plan with equal 
success; and amongst the different varieties which I planted was 
the Fluke. The first three roots of these which I took up pro¬ 
duced fifty-nine Potatoes, of good size; and the whole crop was 
excellent. In 1857 my crop was equally good, and free from j 
disease. Last year, not having leaves, I again tried manure, and | 
lost fully half from disease. 
In 1857, having a spare piece of ground which I had manured 
for Cauliflowers, and having a few favourite Potatoes, I planted 
them in this plot, and every Potato was diseased, whilst those in 
ground unmanured were free from disease. 
I am now thoroughly convinced that manure ought not to be 
used in planting ; but if at all necessary for the land, it ought to 
be applied in the autumn.—T. H., Fomaldkirk, Yorkshire. 
FUCHSIAS BLEEDING. 
I pruned and cut-in several Fuchsia plants early in January. 
They have continued to bleed as profusely as Yines ever since 
(now Feb. 5). I should observe that the house in which they 
are kept is a cool one, without fire heat of any kind; and that 
most of the plants have been, and are, stored under the stage. Can 
you tell me wherein I have acted improperly ? — A Subscriber. | 
[This can only be accounted for by concluding that the roots 
have been kept in a higher proportionate temperature than the 
branches ; and are, consequently, prematurely active. The bleed¬ 
ing will cease when the leaves develope. We never saw a Fuchsia 
bleed as you describe.] 
THE TASMANIAN HIVE* 
As many of the readers of The Cottage Gardener may 
probably, contemplate giving this new application of the colla¬ 
teral principle a fair trial, I am induced to offer a few suggestions 
regarding its construction, and possible modification. 
In the first place, I would strongly recommend wood as the 
only suitable material for the partitions. Zinc is far too good 
a conductor of heat; and the evil effects which may possibly 
result from two sides of what Nutt would have called “the 
pavilion,” being entirely formed of metal, can scarcely be over¬ 
estimated. 
The hinges connecting the end boards with the centre one 
would, I think, be much better omitted. A top board can be 
most easily replaced by sliding carefully from back to front, 
without killing a bee; but if attached by hinges, it must close 
like a box-lid, in which case a painful sacrifice of life can scarcely 
be avoided. 
I would also suggest that tho measurement at top from front 
to back, be increased from 10 inches to 11J inches, or Ilf inches, 
so as to suit the bars in use in the ordinary seven-bar boxes,—a 
point of no small importance. In this ease, the width between 
the partitions might be advantageously diminished to 13 inches, 
accommodating eight bars. 
Should a roof be required, I would recommend one formed of 
two widths of a nine-inch deal dowelled together, and tho joint 
secured by the use of marine glue. If this be bevelled off at , 
tho sides and ends like a sarcophagus lid, and what, is technically 
termed “ throated ” underneath, rain, &c., will be effectually 
excluded. 
A beehive in full work is sometimes an interesting adjunct to 
our rural cemeteries, and in this case the “Tasmanian Hive” 
might not inappropriately be made to assume tho true sarco¬ 
phagus form. 
I trust the talented inventor of the hive in question, will not 
deem me obtrusive in thus describing what I conceive to be im¬ 
provements, in minor points ; and if acceptable to the Editors of 
* A full description of this hive appeared in The Cottage Gardener of 
the 25th of January last. 
The Cottage Gardener, I may hereafter submit to its readers 
a few hints on the construction of wooden hives, and bee-boxes, 
which have been suggested by many years’ experience as—A 
Devonshire Dee-keeper. 
[We shall be much obliged by your so doing.—E ds. C. G.] 
FRUITS ADAPTED TO THE VARIOUS 
LOCALITIES OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
{Continued from page 298.) 
FIGS. 
Angelique ( MSlitte; Madeleine; Coucourclle Blanche). 
—Below medium size, about two inches long and an inch 
and three quarters broad; obovate. Skin yellow, dotted 
with long greenisli-w hite specks. Flesh white under the 
skin, but tinged with red towards the centre. When 
well ripened, the fruit is of good quality, and perfumed. 
It requires artificial heat to bring it to perfection, and 
forces well. 
Ashridge Forcing. See Brown Turkey. 
D’Athenes. See Marseilles. 
Aubique Violette. See Bourdeaux. 
Aubiquon. See Bourdeaux. 
Aulique. See Violette Grosse. 
Barnissotte. See Black Bourjassotte. 
Bayswater. See Brunswick. 
De Bellegarde. See Black Bourjassotte. 
Black Bourjassotte ( Precoce Noire; Barnissotte; De 
Bellegarde). —Large, roundish. Skin dark purple. Flesh 
red at the centre, and of good quality ; but requires heat 
to bring it to perfection. September. Tree an abundant 
bearer. 
Black Genoa {Nigra; Negro d’ Espagne; Noire de 
Languedoc). —Large, oblong, broad towards the apex, 
and very slender towards the stalk. Skin dark purple, 
almost black, and covered with a thick blue bloom. 
Flesh yellowish under the skin, but red towards the 
interior, juicy, with a very sweet and rich flavour. End 
of August. Tree very hardy, and a good bearer. 
Black Ischia {Blue Ischia; Early Forcing; Ronde 
Noire; Nero ).— Medium sized, turbinate, flat at the top. 
Skin deep purple, almost black when ripe. Flesh deep 
red, sweet, and luscious. Tree hardy, and an excellent 
bearer ; succeeds well in pots. August. 
Black Marseilles. See Black Erovcnce. 
Black Naples. See Brunswick. 
Black Provence {Black Marseilles ).— Below medium 
size, oblong. Skin dark brown. Flesh red, tender, very 
juicy, and richly flavoured. Tree bears abundantly, and 
is well adapted for forcing. 
Blanche. See Marseilles. 
Blue. See Brown Turkey. 
Blue Burgundy. See Brown Turkey. 
Blue Ischia. See Black Ischia. 
Bourdeaux (Violette ; Violette Longue; Violette de 
Bourdeaux; Aubiquon; Aubique Violette; Petite Aubique ; 
Fique-Poire ).— Large, pear-shaped, rounded at the head, 
and tapering to a small point at the stalk. Skin deep 
violet, strewed with long green specks. Flesh red, sweet, 
aud well flavoured. Only a second-rate variety, and the 
tree is so tender, that it is apt to be cut down, even to the 
ground, by severe frosts. 
Bourjassotte Blanche. See White Bourjassotte. 
Bourjassotte Noire. See Black Bourjassotte. 
Brocket Hall. See White Ischia. 
Brown Hamburgh. Sec Brunswick. 
Brown Jscjiia {Chestnut-coloured Ischia ).— Medium 
sized, roundish-turbinate. Skin light brown, or chestnut 
coloured. Eye very large. Flesh purple, sweet, and 
high-flavoured. Fruit apt to burst by too much wet. 
