22 
Jnly  4,  }895. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
supers.  Three  miles  from  me  they  appear  to  be  better,  as  I  hear 
super!  are  near  completion.”  From  the  best  Clover  district  in  the 
upper  ward  of  Lanarkshire  another  bee-keeper  says,  ‘'White  Clover 
a  total  failure,  Thyme  is  well  out,  and  Heather  early.” 
On  the  24th  Jane  I  visited  some  bee-keepers  in  Renfrewshire. 
There,  as  in  some  other  places,  there  is  a  paucity  of  Clover  bloom, 
and  the  scarcity  of  water  is  much  felt.  Swarming  had  oijJy 
become  general,  and  many  swarms  are  reported  to  have  been  lost. 
On  that  day  several  swarms  flew  off  to  the  roofs  of  mansions  a 
considerable  distance  off,  where  no  doubt  there  is  an  accumulation 
of  combs  from  swarms  of  previous  years.  Most  of  the  hives  were 
very  strong,  but  generally  very  little  honey  had  been  gathered . 
At  one  apiary  I  was  shown  black  bees,  said  to  be  the  pure 
British  native  bees.  I  examined  them  minutely,  but  could  see  no 
distinguishing  marks  which  entitled  them  to  be  called  pure  British 
bees.  .  , 
I  am  glad  to  learn,  too,  that  a  truthful  statement  of  the  aspects 
of  bee-keeping  and  the  profit  from  bees  has  been  forwarded 
from  Renfrewshire  bee-keepers  to  the.  President  of  the  Board  of 
Agriculture,  and  from  what  was  told  me  it  will  have  attention 
in  Parliament.  Like  myself,  they  apprehend  more  mischief  tb 
arise  from  any  Act  which  might  be  passed  than  froln  foul  brood. 
I  visited  Craighet;  where  many  a- happy  hour  was  spent  with 
the  late  “Renfrewshire  Bee-keeper.”  There,  too,  I  wag  pleased  to 
see  strong  colonies  in  storified  Stewartons,  and  one  colony  of 
Cyprians,  which  appears  almost  if  not  pure  after  so  many  years  of 
its  importation. 
My  Own  Apiary. 
After  four  or  five  days  high  temperature  my  stocks  appeared 
to  require  supering.  I  may  state  that  several  of  my  stocks  occupy  two 
divisions  only.  These  are  not  furthef'advanced  than  those  occupy¬ 
ing  three,  while  the  latter  when  a  honey  flpw  comes  will  far  surpass 
the  former  hives  in  the  ingathering  of  honey.  I  delayed  supering 
till  the  27th.  It  is  the  better  plan  when  we  can  to  put  the  supers 
omat  the  beginning  of  the  flow,  as  when  that  is“  done  the  quality 
and  appearance  of  the  supers  are  all  that  can  be  desired.  ' 
The  upper  divisions  of  my  three-storied  hives  have  the  combs 
filled  and  sealed.  While  the  weather  continues  broken  bives  will 
remain  untouched,  but  all  will  be  supered  on  the  return  of  honey 
weather. — A  Lanarkshire  Bee-Reeper. 
SEASONABLE  NOTES.  , 
After  a  spell  of  cold  weather  and  low  night  temperatures, 
which  have  not  been  advantageous  to  honey  production,  the  much- 
needed  rain  has  come.  Pastures  of  white  Clover  that  had  been 
heavily  grazed  by  sheep,  which  a  week  ago  appeared  quite  bare  of 
herbage,  are  now  bursting  into  growth,  and  should  the  weather 
become  settled  and  a  high  temperature  prevail  there  is  still  time  to 
obtain  a  good  harvest  of  honey  from  that  source.  .But  the  bulk  .of 
the  white  Clover  will  he  over  in  a  fortnight,  to  be  followed  by  the 
Lime  trees,  which  are  showing  well  for  bloom. 
The  weather,  though,  is  a  great  factor  in  honey  production. 
There  have  been  only  three  days  during  the  past  fortnight  in 
which  the  bees  stored  a  surplus.  Strong  colonies  increased 
rapidly  in  weight,  and  as  the  bees  were  not  affected  with  the 
swarming  mania  some  well-finished  sections  of  comb  honey  resulted, 
and  a  superior  example  of  run  honey  was  obtained  from  frames 
placed  over  the  brood  chamber,  the  queen  being  kept  below  on  the 
brood  combs. 
^  The  frames  should  be  at  least  three  parts  sealed  over  before 
being  extracted.  The  honey  will  then  be  well  ripened,  which  in 
due  course  will  granulate  and  keep  in  good  condition  for  several 
years.  Unripe  honey  usually  ferments  and  is  practically  useless. 
If  there  is  any  doubt  in  the  matter  it  is  better  to  feed  it  back  to 
the  bees  than  to  run  any  risk.  In  working  for  extracted  honey,  if 
shallow  frames  are  used,  and  the  weather  is  favourable,  the  bees 
will  fill  them  much  more  rapidly.  "Then  the  honey  can  be  ripened 
and  sealed  over,  and  if  more  space  is  not  given  them  they  will 
probably  swarm,  and  much  valuable  time  will  be  lost. 
To  prevent  this  plsce  another  lot  of  shallow  frames  under  those 
that  are  nearly  full.  In  some  instances  a  third  lot  may  be  added, 
always  placing  the  empty  ones  underneath.  The  bees  will  then 
draw  out  the  combs  and  fill  them  with  honey,  whilst  that  in  the 
top  storey  will  in  due  course  be  ripened  and  sealed  over.  They 
may  then  be  taken  off  and  the  honey  extracted,  the  frames  being 
returned  to  the  hive  to  be  filled  again.  By  paying  close  attention 
to  the  matter  it  is  surprising  the  amount  of  honey  that  may  be 
procured  from  a  strong  colony. — An  English  Bee-keeper. 
TRADE  CATALOGUES  RECEIYED. 
M.  Raines  &  Co.,  34,  Mansell  Street,  Aldgate,  'London.— Wholesale 
Sulb  Catalogue. 
G.  Bunyard  &  Co.,  'iS.&\dsiono.— Catalogue  of  Roses  and  List  of 
Strawberries, 
correspondence  should  be  directed  either  to  “  The 
Editor  or  to  “  The  Publisher.’'  Letters  addressed  to 
Dr.  Hogg  or  members  of  the  staff  often  remain  unopened 
unavoidably.  We  request  that  no  one  will  write  privately 
to  any  of  our  correspondents,  as  doing  so  subjects  them  to 
unjustifiable  trouble  and  expense. 
Correspondents  should  not  mix  up  on  the  same  sheet  questions 
relating  to  Gardening  and  those  on  Bee  subjects,  and  should 
never  send  more  than  two  or  three  questions  at  once.  All 
articles  intended  for  insertion  should  be  written  on  one  side  of 
the  paper  only.  We  cannot  reply  to  questions  through  the  post, 
and  we  do  not  undertake  to  return  rejected  communications. 
TJew  IVIelon  (2>.  R.'). — Your  letter  and  directed  envelope  have 
been  forwarded  to  Mr.  A.  F.  Barron,  from  whom  you  may  expect  to 
hear  in  the  course  of  a  few  days. 
Cblckweed  and  Rheumatism  (^Inquirer'). — The  note  on  this 
subject  appeared  in  the  Journal  of  Horticulture  for  February  14th, 
page  133.  It  was  sent  to  us  by  the  Rev.  F.  H.  Brett,  Carsington  R6ctofy, 
Derbyshire. 
XIi  All  Vapourising-  Fumlgator  (A.  B!). — If  you  refer  to  the 
Journal  of  Horticulture  of  April  25ch  of  the  present  year  you  will  find 
that  this  fumigator  has  been  advertised  by  Mr.  G.  H.  Richards,  Old 
Shot  Tower  Wharf,  Lambeth,  London. 
Covent  Garden  market  {H.  C.).  —  Tuesday,  Thursday,  and 
Saturday  are  the  chief  market  mornings.  If  you  enclose  a  stamped 
directed  envelope  or  postcard  we  will  endeavour  to  answer  the  remaining 
part  of  your  letter.  You  ask  for  information  which  it  is  not  in  accord¬ 
ance  with  our  rules  to  publish. 
Orange  Fungus  on  Roses  (Jsemo'). — Coleosporium  pinqueis.  the 
scientific  name  of  the  fungus  given  in  Mr.  Foster  Melliar’s  “  Book  of  the 
Rose,”  but  the  author  observes  it  has  several  other  names  according  to 
its  different  stages.  You  should  treat  yourself  to  this  book,  which  is 
both  useful  and  attractive — one  of  the  best  presentation  books  for  lovers 
of  Roses  and  haters  of  their  enemies. 
Flowers  for  Buttonholes  (IF.  J,  C.'). — Of  the  flowers  you  name 
we  consider  Roses  of  the  right  size  and  quality  by  far  the  best.  We 
have  never  seen  such  a  collection  aS  you  enumerate  win  in  high-class 
competitions,  and  scarcely  expect  to  do  so.  Still,  if  they  were  the  best, 
cleanest,  and  freshest  flowers  staged  they  would  be  entitled  to  the 
leading  position.  The  art  of  arranging  flowers  for  the  purpose  indicated 
cannot  very  well  be  taught  on  paper. 
Iiillum  Buds  Turning  Brown  and  Falling  (IF.  S.'). — 
This  is  a  not  uncommon  occurrence,  and  by  no  means  clearly  under¬ 
stood  ;  indeed,  it  arises  from  various  causes,  the  chief  of  which  is 
(1)  lack  of  vigour  in  the  bulbs,  due  to  insuflSciency  of  stored  matter  in 
the  preceding  season  ;  (2)  the  bringing  the  plants  forward  in  too  high 
temperature,  and  in  defectively  ventilated  structure ;  and  (3)  in¬ 
sufficient  nourishment  during  the  latest  stages  of  development.  The 
plants  should  be  grown  in  the  lightest  position  the  greenhouse  affords, 
be  supplied  with  liquid  manure  after  they  are  growing  freely,  continuing 
it  alternating  with  water,  but  only  when  the  plants  require  supplies  of 
water,  as  over-watering  is  very  injurious.  This  treatment  is  usually 
satisfactory  if  the  management  is  good  in  other  respects.  Guano,  1  oz. 
to  a  gallon  of  water,  forms  a  suitable  liquid  manure,  straining  it  through 
muslin  to  free  it  from  undissolved  lumps. 
Properties  of  Finks  (^Kew  Reader'). — You  have  no  occasion  to 
apologise  ;  we  are  as  ready  to  be  helpful  to  new  readers  as  to  old  ones. 
The  following  characteristics  of  a  good  Pink  are  taken  from  the  florists’ 
flower  section  of  the  “Garden  Manual.”*  “  The  flower  must  be  fully 
double  ;  so  much  so  that  it  should  form  the  half  of  a  ball,  rising  up  to 
the  centre,  and  should  be  perfectly  circular  in  outline.  Each  petal 
should  be  stout,  broad,  and  smooth  at  the  edges.  This  smoothness  is 
called  rose-edged — that  is,  without  any  notches  or  teeth.  The  lowest 
tier  of  petals  should  be  the  widest,  reaching  in  diameter  at  least  from 
2  to  2J  inches.  The  next  row  should  be  shorter,  so  much  so  as  to  show 
the  lacing  fully  on  the  lower  petals  ;  and  the  next  shorter  again,  and 
so  on  up  to  the  centre,  which  should  be  well  filled  up  without  confusion. 
The  ground  colour  should  be  pure  white.  The  lacing,  or  circular  stripe, 
should  leave  an  edge  of  white  outside  of  it  and  another  inside ;  this 
lacing  of  colour  should  be  of  the  same  width  as  the  outside  edging  of 
white,  and  should  be  smooth  and  even  at  the  edges — in  fact,  laid  on  as 
if  it  had  been  traced  by  a  skilful  hand  with  a  fine  camel-hair  pencil 
Then  at  the  bottom  of  the  petals  there  should  be  another  body  of  colour 
the  same  as  the  lacing,  to  form  a  bold,  rich  eye.” 
*  Is.  9d.,  post  free,  from  this  office 
