February  22,  1900. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
IG? 
ranpe  from  60°  to  65°,  70°  to  75°  by  day,  with  10°  to  15°  advance  from 
snn  heat.  Ventilate  from  70°,  and  close  between  80°  and  85°,  damping 
all  surfaces  well  at  the  time.  Do  not  syringe  the  foliage,  as  there  is 
danger  of  sediment—a  deposit  on  the  berries. 
Vines  Started  at  the  Veto  Tear. — Commence  disbudding  when  the 
best  shows  for  fruit  can  be  determined,  the  object  being  to  give  the 
shoots  left  the  benefit  of  full  exposure  to  light  and  concentrate  the 
forces  on  them.  Allow  at  least  two  joints  beyond  the  fruit  in  stopping, 
pinching  laterals  below  the  bunch  to  one  joint,  but  those  level  with  or 
above  the  fruit  may  be  allowed  to  extend  as  space  permits.  When  in 
flower  afford  a  night  temperature  of  65°  to  70°,  with  10°  to  15°  rise 
from  sun  heat,  closing  at  80°.  Vine  flowers  set  best  when  the  atmo¬ 
spheric  moisture  is  not  excessive.  An  over-moist,  or,  on  the  other  hand, 
a  dry  atmosphere  must  be  equally  avoided.  Muscats  require  a  higher 
temperature  and  drier  atmosphere  than  some  varieties  when  setting, 
artificial  impregnation  being  occasionally  practised  by  fertilising  every 
bunch  with  Black  Hamburgh  pollen. 
Late  Grapes. — To  do  justice  to  late  Vines  they  require  a  long  season 
of  growth,  as  to  insure  the  Grapes  keeping  well  they  should  be  ripe 
by  the  middle  of  September.  To  effect  this  the  Vines  ought  to  be  started 
at  the  end  of  the  present  month  or  early  in  March.  Let  the  inside 
border  be  well  supplied  with  water,  and  a  supply  of  liquid  manure  will 
assist  weakly  Vines,  but  avoid  making  the  soil  sodden  by  needless 
applications.  Remove  loose  surface  soil  from  the  border  and  supply 
fresh  turfy  loam  with  a  little  well  decayed  manure  intermixed,  sprinkling 
over  each  square  yard  4  ozs.  of  approved  fertiliser. 
Late  Houses  of  Blach  Hamhurghs. — The  Vines  should  be  kept  cool  and 
the  soil  only  moderately  moist  to  preserve  the  roots  in  sound  condition. 
It  will  be  necessary  to  ventilate  freely  at  and  above  50°,  and  when  thar. 
becomes  the  mean  of  the  external  air,  or  a  little  before,  the  Vines  will 
break  naturally.  The  Vines  will  set  their  crops  by  the  early  part  of 
June,  and  the  berries  swell  with  sun  heat,  artificial  heat  only  being 
required  after  the  Grapes  begin  to  colour. 
THE  KITCHEN  GARDEN. 
Broad  Beans. — If  extra  early  dishes  are  appreciated,  a  part  of  a 
warm  border  ought,  where  possible,  to  be  devoted  to  the  first  crop. 
A  moderately  rich  deeply  cultivated  soil  suits  this  crop,  and  the  seeds 
may  be  sown  thinly  in  drills  2  inches  deep  and  2  feet  apart.  More 
seed  may  be  sown  in  the  open  directly  the  ground  is  in  a  fit  state,  this 
crop  forming  a  close  succession  to  those  in  the  warmer  positions. 
Peas.  —  Much  that  has  been  advanced  concerning  early  Beans 
applies  equally  well  to  Peas.  The  extra  early  rou’^d. seeded  varieties 
are  the  best  to  sow  during  the  first  fortnight  in  February,  the  wrinkled - 
seeded  sorts  frequently  perishing  if  buried  in  cold  wet  soil.  This 
important  crop  merits  a  good  share  of  a  south  border,  sowing  the  seed 
moderately  thickly  in  wide  drills  3  feet  apart,  or  the  rows  may  be 
disposed  10  feet  or  more  asunder,  the  spaces  between  being  cropped  with 
Cauliflowers,  Potatoes,  or  other  early  vegetables. 
Peas  jor  Planting  Out. — The  plan  of  sowing  seeds  in  the  open  ground 
in  November  and  nursing  the  plants  through  the  winter  has  been 
superseded  in  favour  of  raising  the  requisite  number  of  plants  under 
glass,  planting  out  when  they  are  strong  enough  and  the  state  of  the 
weather  permits.  Extra  early,  if  not  particularly  heavy  crops  are 
obtained  in  this  way.  For  this  purpose  the  early  wrinkled -seeded 
varieties  may  be  selected,  and  the  seed  may  be  sown  either  thickly  in 
boxes,  troughs,  or  3-inch  pots  filled  with  fine  soil,  and  placed  in  gentle 
heat  to  germinate,  hardening  before  the  plants  are  drawn,  and  planting 
out  before  the  roots  become  badly  matted  together. 
Peas  in  Frames. — If  the  required  number  of  plants  are  raised  in 
heat  as  advised,  and  turned  out  into  pits  or  frames,  a  few  early,  if 
comparatively  small,  dishes  may  be  the  result.  Brick  pits  or  box 
frames  are  not  indispensable,  as  it  is  possible  to  obtain  equally  as 
good  crops  in  rough  frames  or  pits  with  mats  for  protection.  A  mild 
bottom  heat  gives  a  good  start  to  the  Peas,  and  also  to  the  rows  of 
early  Cabbage  Lettuces  planted  midway  between  them. 
Spinach. — Summer  Spinach  is  usually  associated  with  Peas,  being 
grown  in  the  spaces  between  the  rows  of  the  latter,  the  leaves 
reaching  a  suitable  size  for  cooking  before  the  Peas  shade  the  ground. 
Sow  the  seed  thinly  in  shallow  drills  midway  between  the  rows  of 
Peas  each  time  sowings  of  these  are  made.  Winter  Spinach  ought 
soon  to  commence  growing  strongly. 
Potatoes. — It  is  yet  early  to  commence  Potato  planting  on  a  large 
scale,  but  exception  may  be  made  in  favour  of  an  early  crop  on  a 
sunny  border.  Give  the  preference  to  short-topped,  early  maturing 
varieties,  placing  the  sets  about  9  inches  apart  in  rows  20  inches  or 
rather  more  asunder,  in  moderately  rich,  light,  free-working  soil.  If 
the  soil  is  at  once  ridged  over  the  rows  a  good  length  of  stem  will  be 
formed  before  the  tops  push  through  the  soil.  In  any  case  a  close 
look  out  should  be  kept  for  the  latter  occurrence,  drawing  soil  up  to 
and  over  the  tops,  or  otherwise  protecting  them  from  frosts. 
Garlic  and  Shallots. — Unless  these  are  planted  early  their  growing 
season  is  short.  Rich,  well-worked  borders  suit  them.  The  divisions 
may  be  pressed  into  the  soil,  leaving  the  crowns  showing  through, 
disposing  them  6  inches  to  9  inches  apart  in  rows  1  foot  asunder. 
Underground  Onions  may  be  similarly  treated.  A  little  later  Parsley 
plants,  raised  under  glass,  may  be  put  out  midway  between  the  Garlic 
and  Shallots,  these  not  interfering  with  the  progress  and  early  maturation 
of  these  crops,  and  eventually  occupying  the  whole  of  the  ground. 
I 
HE  BEE-KEEPER. 
■.j  ■ '  - 1  •  .1 
I  ■  r-  T  ■ 
The  Weather. 
Owing  probably  to  the  fact  that  the  weather  is  an  important 
factor  in  bee  management,  it  is  not  surprising  that  bee-keepers  are  close 
observers  of  the  various  changes.  At  the  time  and  place  of  writing 
a  severe  frost  prevails;  within  the  past  twenty-four  hours  22°  of  frost 
has  been  registered.  The  hives  which  are  fully  exposed  are  buried  in 
snow,  as  are  all  the  surroundings,  to  the  depth  of  several  inches.  Many 
of  the  roads  have  been  impassable  owing  to  the  snowdrifts,  which  are 
from  4  to  6  feet  in  depth.  Although  bad  for  travellers  snow  is  an 
advantage  in  other  respects,  as  it  affords  great  protection  to  vegetation 
as  well  as  to  the  bees  in  their  hives.  The  cold  spell  of  weather  has 
been  general  throughout  the  country,  but  the  snow  only  partially  so, 
as  a  report  to  hand  from  a  western  county  says,  “  Weather  very  severe, 
but  little  snow’.” 
As  long  as  the  frost  remains  we  allow  the  snow  to  remain  on 
the  hives,  owing  to  the  protection  it  gives  to  the  inmates.  But 
directly  a  change  sets  in  it  will  be  removed,  as  should  there  be  any 
weak  places  in  the  roof  the  melted  snow  will  soon  find  them  out. 
After  this  takes  place  we  shall  probably  have  a  few  hours  of  bright 
sunshine,  and  it  is  then  the  hives  will  need  attention,  as  with  a  rise 
of  temperature  the  bees  will  be  anxious  for  a  flight  after  their  con¬ 
finement.  We  therefore  repeat  the  advantage  to  be ’derived  from 
shading  the  entrance.  All  that  is  required  for  this  purpose  is  a  piece 
of  wood,  tile,  or  slate  placed  in  a  slanting  position  across  the  Iront  of 
the  hive.  It  should  he  placed  in  such  a  manner  that  it  obstructs  the 
light  but  not  the  ventilation.  The  past  two  months  have  bsen  a  trying 
time  for  the  bees,  as  January  was  showery  and  dull  followed  by 
extreme  cold. 
Examination  of  Combs. 
There  are  many  details  in  bee-keeping  that  lead  on  to  successful 
bee  management,  which  may  be  attended  to  at  this  season,  when  the 
bees  require  little  attention.  It  is  new  a  recognised  fact  that  to  be 
able  to  take  due  advantage  of  our  short  honey  harvest  spare  combs 
are  indispensable.  To  those  who  w’ork  largely*  for  run  or  extracted 
honey  it  is  their  sheet  anchor  of  success.  We  consider  this  point  so 
valuable  that  we  spare  no  trouble  in  keeping  them  in  good  condition. 
The  system  we  adopt  may  hear  repeating.  After  the  honey  harvest 
is  over  the  combs  are  stored  in  a  dry  place;  we  prefer  making  a  parcel 
of  half  a  dozen,  wrapping  them  in  newspaper.  They  are  then  placed 
one  on  the  top  of  the  other  in  large  packing  cases.  Before  this  takes 
place  the  box  is  loosely  lined  with  some  old  shading  material.  This  is 
well  sprinkled  with  carbolic  acid,  which  will  have  the  effect  of  keeping 
out  the  wax  moth,  which  is  so  disastrous  to  the  combs.  When  the 
box  is  full  similar  material  is  placed  over  the  top  of  the  packages, 
the  lid  is  closed,  and  treated  thus  a  great  number  of  combs  may  be 
kept  in  a  small  space. 
It  will  be  an  advantage  if  combs  stored  in  this  manner  are  now 
examined.  'I'he  paper  coverings  may  be  removed,  and  the  combs 
brushed  lightly  to  remove  any  debris.  All  should  be^  removed 
from  the  boxes,  or  wherever  they  are  stored.  The  material  placed 
round  the  sides  must  be  again  sprinkled  with  carbolic,  and  the 
combs  replaced  in  their  former  position.  If  this  is  done  they  will  be 
ready  for  use,  and  be  found  in  good  condition  when  required.  Such 
combs  are  also  useful  for  the  brood  chamber,  instead  of  using 
comb  foundation  when  working  for  increase  in  the  spring.  It  is  not 
advisable  to  let  the  carbolic  come  in  contact  with  the  combs,  and 
it  is  for  this  reason  we  wrap  them  in  paper. — An  English  Bee-keeper,. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIVED. 
J.  Potts,  Rainford,  Lancashire. — Hard  and  Soft-wooded  Plants. 
Rivoire  pere  et  fils,  Lyons. — Seeds  and  Plants. 
N.  Smith  &  Son,  Adrian,  Michigan,  Spring  Trade  List. 
Vilmorin,  Andrieux  &  Cie,  Quai  de  la  Megisserie,  Paris.— C/irr/sanfke- 
mums  and  Dahlias. 
E.  Webb  &  Sons,  Wordsley,  Stourbridge.— Farm  Seeds. 
