512 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
April 6, 1901. 
separately, examining each one carefully ; note that 
they are healthy, the amount of food, quantity of 
brood and bees, &c. It is like turning over the 
leaves of a book you are reading, and the experi¬ 
enced bee keeper can read all at a glance. Be sure 
that you place combs in the new hive in the same 
position as they were taken out of the old one. It 
does not upset the brood nest so much, and there is 
less danger of having chilled brood. Give the bees 
no more frames than they can thickly cover. 
It is far too early yet to begin spreading the brood 
nest. In examining a stock we should always see 
that we have sufficient time on our hands to allow 
us to do the work quietly and at our leisure. Work 
done in a hurry is never done well, and bees will not 
be hurried. If a sting is received it should be 
extracted immediately, and the part smoked a little. 
This removes the smell of the bee that inflicted the 
sting, which irritates the rest. There are so many 
cures for the sting of the bee that a few will be 
sufficient. The Best cure that I know for them is 
stings! After you have received a few dozen, or 
may be hundreds, you become so thoroughly inoccu- 
lated with them that after a time a dozen stings or 
so do not affect you either way. Some recommend 
rubbing the part with ammonia, honey, tobacco 
juice, or Dock leaf; others, a little earth, whisky 
taken internally, &c., &c. In fact, everyone has his 
or her particular cure. 
Where water is at a distance from the hives it 
should be provided for. A shallow dish full of tea 
leaves, always kept’ damp, is suitable, or a rain 
barrel with a few corks for the bees to rest upon; in 
fact, anything that may occur to the handy bee 
keeper to provide water without the risk of drowning 
the bees. 
In districts where natural pollen is scarce, a box 
filled with rough wood shavings with a pound or two 
of peasmeal thrown amongst them should be pro¬ 
vided. This should be placed in a sunny corner 
near the hives, to attract the bees. A small piece of 
honeycomb should be placed amongst it. When the 
natural pollen is coming in they will leave it. 
Stocks that are short of food may be given liquid 
syrup, in place of candy, at the rate of J pint a day 
for the first week, which can be gradually increased 
as the stock'gets stronger — Doonfoot. 
2 in. to 3 in. high, bearing each a terminal cyme of 
yellow flowers. The plant is quite hardy, and com¬ 
menced opening its blooms a week ago at least; but 
it is much more handsome if accorded the shelter of 
a cold frame, or even a house erected for the purpose 
of growing hardy plants, or flowering them at least. 
Under such conditions the flower stalks are longer, 
and the flowers come much more regularly and are 
finer than in the open under the influence of cold 
and frosty nights. 
SAXIFRAGA OPPOSITIFOLIA PYRENAICA 
MAXIMA. 
The above rather lengthy name represents a grand 
form of a British plant, though the variety, as the 
name implies, is not a native of this country. The 
obovate, rosy-purple petals are not particularly 
broad, but they vary from five to six, and spread 
widely when fully expanded, owing to the great 
width of the calyx on which they are seated. The 
leaves are also relatively large, showing that alto¬ 
gether this is a very vigorous form of the species, which 
is perfectly hardy, but develops its flowers best in a 
cold greenhouse or frame, as a result of the shelter 
afforded against the uncertainties of our fickle 
climate in the month of March and April. All the 
forms of S. oppositifolia delight in a cool, moist 
situation. Those who are fond of hardy plants 
would do well to grow a pan or two of it to place in 
the greenhouse when in bloom, thereby adding to 
the interest of that structure in spring. 
IRIS TUB ERGEN I ANA. 
In the open ground this new species does not exceed 
3 in. in height, leaves, flowers, and all. Practically 
it is similar in habit to I. persica, but at first sight 
reminds one of the later flowering and .taller 
I. orchioides. The dark green, two-ranked leaves 
have a narrow white margin. The yellow flowers 
are fairly conspicuous, this being chiefly due to the 
size of the obovate falls, which have two small black 
spots on either side of the small beard of fringes 
along the centre. It seems destined to prove hardy 
in sheltered places, as it has been floweriDg in front 
of a south aspect wall at Kew for some time past. 
-» I —- 
SOCIETIES. 
ARDENING gjlSCELLANY 
CELOSIA PYRAMIDALIS AUREA. 
The tall red and the yellow varieties of Celosias are 
much prized for summer garden decoration, and 
seeds may be sown now to supply plants for summer 
planting. Their culture is similar to that of the 
Cockscomb (C. cristata). Instead of allowing them 
to stop in the small sized pots (as is done with 
C. cristata till the formation of the comb), they 
should be potted on as needs require, and hardened 
off previous to their being put out in the beds in 
midsummer. 
SAXIFRAGA BURSERIANA. 
Gardeners usually label this plant S. burseriana 
major, but whether it merits this title or not is 
doubtful. When the plant is grown in pots and 
flowered in a frame or a glass structure of any kind, 
the flowers come considerably larger than when 
grown entirely out of doors. Being perfectly hardy 
it is an important adjunct to a collection of rockery 
plants, and of charming appearance when in full 
bloom under favourable circumstances. The dense 
rosettes of small, glaucous leaves form very neat 
tufts that increase very slowly, so that there is no 
possibility of the plant overrunning its neighbours. 
A variety named S. b. macrantha in the hardy plant 
house at Kew does not seem to differ from the type, 
except in being later in coming into bloom, and in 
having red stems and red calyx, and, perhaps, more 
decidedly glaucous foliage. Its chief value would be 
in forming a succession of bloom to the type. 
SAXIFRAGA APICULATA. 
Apparently this name is going to be retained for a 
plant that comes before the public under a variety of 
names such as S. Frederica Augusta, S. Malyii, S. 
luteo-purpurea, &c. The small leaves are arranged 
in dense rosettes, forming in the aggregate a dense 
tuft from which arise a wealth of flower stalks about 
LIVERPOOL HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION. 
March 2jth. 
The 15th spring show of this society was held on the 
27th ult., in the St. George’s Hall. Although the 
weather was boisterous and nearly down to freezing 
point, a very fine lot of exhibits were staged and in 
some cases specimens were superior to anything seen 
previously. 
For a group of miscellaneous foliage and flowering 
plants, Mr. B. Cromwell, gardener to T. S. Timmis, 
Esq., Clevelly, occupied the place of honour with a 
group of high merit, tastefully arranged. The climb¬ 
ing Roses arranged in festoons proved highly effective. 
The chief plants were Ferns, Orchids, Caladiums, 
Crotons, &c. Mr. J. Bracegirdle, gardener to W.H. 
Watts, Esq., Elm Hall, held second place with more 
greenery but lacking in the finish at the back of the 
first prize. 
For ten pots of hardy herbaceous plants, Mr. E. 
R. Finch, gardener to Jos. Smith, Esq., won with 
fine pots. For a display of bulbs and foliage plants, 
Mr. C. Osborne, gardener to Percy Jackson, Esq., 
led with a good assortment. For twelve Hyacinths 
distinct, Mr. T. Hitchman, gardener to A. Earle, 
Esq., Childwall, led with fine massive spikes, the 
best being Electra, Capt. Boyton, Lord Roberts, 
Grand Maitre, Cardinal Wiseman, &c. Fbr the six 
distinct varieties, Mr. J. Heaton, gardener to R. P. 
Houston, Esq., M.P., was to the fore. For six pots 
with three bulbs in each pot, Mr. E. R. Finch won 
with fine spikes. 
For six pots Polyanthus Narcissus, Mr. Finch 
was again to the fore. Twelve pots single Tulips, 
not less than six varieties, Mr. F. C. Keightley, gar¬ 
dener to Mrs. Duncan, won with good types. For 
six pots, Mr. E. R. Finch was accorded first. For 
six pots doubles, Mr. W. Bustard, gardener to T. 
McClelland, Esq., Aigburth, took the lead. 
Three greenhouse Azaleas, Mr. E. R. Finch was 
well ahead with smart plants. Six Amaryllis, Mr. 
T. Johnson, gardener to Mrs. G. W. Moss, was easily 
first with superb varieties, Eureka (white) being 
worthily accorded a Certificate of Merit. The Gem 
(crimson) was also very fine. For a basket of cut 
flowers, Mr. H. T. Fairclough, gardener to F. H. 
Davis, Esq., was the best out of six. 
For one stove plant in flower Mr. Bracegirdle won 
with a grand plant of Aograecum sesquipedale, with 
thirteen fine blooms on five spikes. Mr. Cromwell 
was second with a strong Cymbidium. One green 
house plant in flower was won by Mr. Cromwell 
with Imantophyllum miniatum. For three Orchids 
distinct, Mr. J. Bracegirdle had the leading lot. For 
two cool Orchid varieties, Mr. C. Duke, gardener to 
F. Cross, Esq., won with Oncidium cavendishianum 
and Odontoglossum Insleayi. For the single plant 
Mr. Bracegirdle led with Coelogyne cristata; for two 
hardy forced plants, the same exhibitor was to the 
fore. 
For four exotic Ferns Mr. Cromwell staged a most 
handsome lot, including Goniphlebium subauricu- 
latum with fronds ten feet in length, Micrdepia 
hirta cristata and Nephrolepis rufescens in fine 
health. Mr. Bracegirdle was second, having 
Cibotium Schidei, ten feet in diameter. For the 
single specimen Mr. Bracegirdle led with Gonioph- 
lebium. Three Azaleas, Mr. Cromwell won with 
five specimens of good quality; and for the single 
was again in the leading position. Four hardy 
Rhododendrons, and for the single, Mr. E. R. Finch 
scored in each case with large well flowered plants. 
For the greenhouse variety Mr. Bracegirdle had the 
best. Six hardy forced plants Mr. Cromwell won 
with an attractive lot, well done. Three Palms or 
Cycads, Mr. Bracegirdle won with large specimens; 
and for the siugle the same exhibitor scored with a 
well grown Kentia. Mr. W. Lyon, gardener to A. 
M. McKenzie Smith, Esq., won for Cinerarias and 
Primulas. For six Cyclamen, W. B. Bowling led 
with well finished plants. For four Azalea mollis. 
Mr. W. Bustard held the coveted position, and Mr. 
Hitchman for the single plant. 
The exhibits not for competition were numerous 
and good, Certificates of Merit being granted to 
Messrs. R. P. Ker & Sons for a fine collection of 
Amaryllis, Imperial, Monarch, Ladas, Pegasus, 
being exceptionally good ; Mr. C. Young, for fifty 
pots Carnation Mrs. T. W. Lawson; Messrs. J. 
Cowan & Co., for table of Orchids including Den- 
drobiums, Odontoglossums, Cypripediums, &c.; 
Messrs. Dickson’s cut Daffodils and other spring 
flowers; Mr. W. Rowlands, a fine collection of 
Hyacinths, Genistas,and Azaleas, formingapleasing 
combination ; Messrs. I. House & Son, Bristol, cut 
Violets in considerable variety ; and Messrs. Thos. 
Davies & Co., Mignonettes, Hydrangeas, and other 
forced plants The admission proved slightly in 
excess of the previous year. 
READ THIS. 
A weekly award of 5s. will be made by the pro¬ 
prietors of The Gardening Wojld, to the person 
who sends the most interesting or valuable item of 
news upon passing events likely to interest horticult¬ 
urists at large ; hints containing suggestive facts of 
practical interest to gardeners or growers of plants, 
fruits, or flowers; successful methods of propagating 
plants usually considered difficult ; or any other 
tobic coming within the sphere of gardening proper. 
The articles in question should not exceed 250 words, 
and should be marked " Competition.” The address 
of the winner will be published. The Editor’s 
judgment must be considered final. The communi¬ 
cations for each week should be posted not later 
than Monday night. 
The prize last week was awarded to Mr. J. M., 
Market Drayton, Shropshire, for his article on 
" Azalea indica,” p. 489. 
The Editor would be much obliged if competitors 
would forward their articles earlier in the week as 
the work is heavy on Wednesday morning, delaying 
the paper in going to press. 
Qimmm add An$ineR$. 
All correspondence relating to editorial matters 
should be addressed to "The Editor,” 4, Dorset 
Buildings, Salisbury Square, Fleet Street, 
E.C. Timely notes or notices about interesting 
matters or current topics relating to gardens, gar¬ 
deners, or gardening, are always cordially welcomed. 
When newspapers are sent would our friends please mark 
the paragraphs or articles they wish us *o see ? 
Directions for growing Water Cress.— W. Forgan: 
There are several ways of doing this, or more par- 
