36 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
January  12,  1899. 
hanginfr,  and  avoid  a  close  atmosphere  ■when  the  weather  is  favourable 
for  ventilation.  Examine  every  bunch  frequently,  and  remove  all  decayed 
berries. 
Strawberries  in  Pots. — The  earliest  plants  must  not  be  pqshed  too 
rapidly,  especially  in  severe  weather,  50°  to  55°  at  night  being  sufficient 
for  those  that  were  started  at  the  beginning  of  last  month,  and  G0°  to  65° 
by  day  ;  but  it  is  better  to  err  on  the  safe  side,  therefore  5°  less  in  the 
■absence  of  sun,  the  weather  being  cold,  is  advisab'e.  Scrutinise  tte 
plants  closely,  and  if  any  aphides  are  found  fum^g  ite  the  house  so  as  to 
destroy  the  pests  before  the  flowers  appear,  lilildew  sometimes  fastens 
on  the  opening  buds  ;  in  that  case  dust  with  flowers  of  sulphur.  Phice 
■more  plants  on  shelves  in  Peach  houses,  or  in  vineries  started  about 
this  time.  The  pots  should  have  the  drainage  rectified  if  necessary,  the 
surface  soil  removed  or  freed  of  moss  or  other  matter,  and  be  washed 
clean.  A  top-dressing  moy  be  given  of  rich  ma'erial  —  say,  horse  drop¬ 
pings — rubbed  through  a  half-ir.eh  sieve,  with  a  handful  of  a  mixture  of 
three  parts  steamed  bonemeal  and  one  part  sulphate  of  potash  (mixed) 
to  each  peck  of  horse  manure.  La  Grosse  Sucrce,  Koyal  Sovereign, 
Vicomtfsse  Ilericart  de  Thury,  and  President  arc  excellent  varieties  lor 
introducing  now.  Noble  and  Auguste  Nicaise  are  also  suitable. 
THE  KITCHEN  GAKDEN. 
Seed  Sowing.— If  the  .weather  keeps  mild  and  dry  long  enough  for  the 
surface  of  the  ground  to  dry,  many  gardeners  will  be  tempted  to  commence 
seed-sowing.  If,  however,  previous  experience  is  any  criterion,  this  will 
mean  so  much  labour  and  seed  wasted.  There  is  time  yet  f  r  a  severe, 
long  sustained  frost,  and  in  any  case  the  soil  below  the  surface  is  far  too 
wet  and  cold  to  promote  seed  germination.  Early  in  February  is  quite 
soon  enough  to  sow  Peas,  Bean-',  Spinach.  Lettuce,  Iladishcr,  and  other 
seeds  in  the  open  or  on  warm  borders,  especi'illy  in  the  case  of  the  heavier 
retentive  soils.  In  the  meantime  raise  Peas  and  Broad  Beans  under  glass 
for  planting  out  on  warm  borders  with  a  view  to  having  early  crops. 
Lettuce. — Plants  raised  in  the  open  to  stand  unprotected  through  the 
winter  are  in  such  a  forward  condition  that  only  a  moderately  severe  frost 
will  cripple  and  probably  destroy  them  wholesale.  A  considerable  number 
of  plants  might,  weather  still  permitting,  be  planted  thickly  in  hand-lights 
-or  under  bell-glasses  and  cloches  with  advantage.  Moving  them  would 
check  the  growth,  and  the  protection  afforded  would  carry  them  through  a 
moderately  severe  spell  of  frost.  In  order  to  be  on  the  safe  side,  sow 
seed  of  Cos  varieties  thinly  in  boxes,  placing  these  in  gentle  heat  and 
not  far  from  the  glass.  In  this  way  a  number  of  sturdy'  plants,  which 
■may  be  hardened  for  early  planting  out,  will  bo  available. 
Forcing  Zetfuce.— Cabbage  Lettuces  such  as  Early  Paris  Market, 
Golden  Queen,  and  Coramodcre  Nutt,  force  readily-  The  finest  hearts 
aro  obtained  with  the  aid  of  mild  hotbeds  and  shallow  frames,  but  excel¬ 
lent  produce  may'  be  had  by  planting  in  boxes  of  rich,  loamy  soil,  and 
placing  these  la  structures  where  a  gentle  heat  is  mainta-nod.  Sow  seeds 
at  once,  this  whether  a  stock  of  autumn-raised  plants  is  available  for 
early  forcing  or  not,  thinly  in  pans  of  light  loamy  soil,  and  place  in  gentle 
heat  to  germinate.  When  the  plants  aro  well  up  raise  them  to  near  the 
glass,  still  keeping  them  in  gentle  heat,  and  be  careful  not  to  injure  them 
by  syringing.  Quite  small  plants  succeed  well  dibbled  in  where  they  are 
to  grow.  Six  inches  of  good  light  loamy  soil  with  a  fine  surface,  o\or  a 
gentle  hotbed,  is  all  the  preparation  needed  for  either  early'  or  successional 
Lettuces.  Seeds  of  Cos  Lettuces  may  be  sow'n  now  thinly  in  boxes  of  goed 
soil  and  placed  in  gentle  bent  to  germinate.  Before  the  plants  become 
drawn  move  the  boxes  to  shelves  near  the  glass  in  a  warm  greenhouse, 
where,  if  properly  looked  after,  the  plants  will  attain  to  a  serviceable 
size. 
Mustard  and  Cress. —  With  Endive  failing  and  Lettuce  not  forward 
enough  to  cut,  there  is  all  the  more  need  to  grow  Mustard  and  Cress 
extensively  and  well.  Moderately  rich  perfectly  fresh  soil  is  necessary 
for  these  small  saladings.  Sow  the  seed  thickly  on  the  surface  of  the 
previously  well-moistened  soil,  press  it  in  evenly,  but  only  cover  the 
Mustard  seed,  and  that  very  lightly'.  Place  the  boxes  in  a  forcing  house,, 
or  in  a  temperature  seldom  below  60°,  and  cover  with  mats  or  brown 
paper,  not  reducing  this  heavy  shade  till  the  salading  is  about  2  inches 
high,  with  a  view  to  having  long  well  blanched  stems,  such  as  are 
produced  by  market  growers. 
Early  Tomatoes. — Plants  raised  late  last  autumn  and  now  in  small 
pots  ought  to  be  moved  into  their  fruiting  quarters  at  once,  A  light 
position  and  a  well  heated  house  are  essentials,  early  Tomatoes  succeeding 
well  in  the  narrow  span-roofed  houses,  in  which  Melons  and  Cucumbers 
are  usually  grown.  They  may  either  be  placed  in  11-inch  or  12-inch 
pots,  arranging  these  along  the  fronts,  or  be  planted  12  to  15  inches  apart 
in  a  narrow  square-topped  ridge  of  soil.  If  there  are  wooden  front 
stagings  over  hot-water  pipes,  cover  the  woodwork  with  slates,  placing 
on  these  a  thick  layer  of  ashes.  Pot  firmly'  in  a  moderately  rich  loamy 
soil,  to  which  a  sprinkling  of  Vine  manure  or  bonemeal  is  added  ;  the 
plants  to  be  trained  straight  up  the  roof  trellis,  and  confined  to  a  single 
stem.  AVater  sparingly  at  first,  taking  care,  however,  not  to  allow  the 
old  ball  of  soil  and  roots  to  become  quite  dry.  A  temperature  of  55°  to 
60°  by  night,  with  an  increase  of  5°  to  10°  in  the  daytime,  according  to 
external  conditions,  is  suitable. 
Sowing  Tomato  Seed. — If  seed  of  a  free-setting  early  variety  is  sown 
now,  the  plants  resulting  should  produce  ripe  fruit  in  May'.  Sow  the 
seed  thinly  in  pans  of  light  soil,  and  place  in  a  brisk  heat  to  germinate. 
Raise  the  young  plants  well  up  to  the  glass,  and  wlien  the  second  pair  of 
leaves  is  well  advanced  place  the  plants  singly  in  2J-inch  pots,  sinking 
them  to  their  seed  leaves.  Under  this  treatment  sturdy  plants  are  scon 
available  for  planting  out  or  shifting  into  larger  pots. 
HE  BEE-KEEPER. 
Protection  of  E.xtrances, 
Bees  wintered  in  the  open  air,  as  is  the  prevailing  custom  in  this 
country,  are  liable  to  be  affected  by  the  many  changes  in  the  weather 
at  this  season,  as  it  is  somewhat  difficult  t)  keep  the  bees  at  an  even 
temperature.  Many  apiarians  are  tempted  to  close  the  entrance  to 
their  hives  during  the  prevalence  of  high  winds  or  blinding  snow¬ 
storms.  AVe  do  not  agree  avith  this  plan.  Nut  that  any  harm  would 
happen  to  the  bees  if  the  entrance  were  re-opened  directly  the 
storm  was  over;  but  there  is  always  a  danger  of  this  king  neglected, 
and  for  this  reason,  if  no  other,  we  do  not  recommend  its  adoption. 
Shading  the  Entrances, 
Although  it  may  appear  somewhat  out  of  character  with  the 
w'eather  to  speak  of  shading  hives  at  midwinter,  it  can  with  advantage 
be  d  no  from  now'  ouw'ards.  It  is  the  close  attention  to  the  details  of 
man.'igcmcnt  that  makes  the  successful  bee-keeper,  and  it  is  as  neces¬ 
sary'  at  tliis  season  as  at  midsummer. 
AVe  never  under  any  pretext  close  the  entrar  ce  to  cur  hives.  But 
bha<liug  from  the  elircct  rays  cf  sun  is  succtsifully  practised.  There 
are  various  ways  of  doing  this,  cither  by'  placing  a  mat,  sack,  or 
something  similar,  over  the  top  of  the  hive,  and  allowing  it  to  hang 
well  over  the  front.  This  w’ill  have  the  desired  effect,  as  the  bees  w'ill 
not  he  tempted  to  leave  their  hive  during  a  .‘•pell  of  bright  ■weather 
when  tiro  temperature  is  low.  Another  advantage  derived  by  using  a 
coveting  in  this  form  is  the  protection  afforded  during  a  heavy  fall  of 
snow,  as  the  snow'  falls  quite  clear  ot  the  floor  board,  wli  ch  is  thus 
he['t  comD.iratively'  dry,  and  after  the  sterm  is  ovc'r,  if  the  covering  is 
removed  bodily'  aitel  well  shaken,  there  will  be  no  snow  adhering  to  the 
hive.  Tl.e  coverings  may  again  he  replaced  if  noce-^sary.  dhere  is 
noth  ng  more  penetrating  than  melted  snow,  and  stocks  often  suffer 
severely  from  dampness  in  tl.e  hive  owing  to  the  snow  being  allowed 
to  gradually  tl  aav  instead  of  removing  it  the  first  opportunity. 
Another  very'  simple  plan  w'e  practi.se  to  obstruct  the  light,  hut 
not  the  air,  and  prevent  the  snow  from  being  driven  in  at  the  entrance, 
is  done  by  using  a  niece  t'f  wood  or  slate  jilaced  in  a  slanting  position 
against  'tbiC  entr.ancc.  AA^hatever  is  used  feir  this  purpose  should  be 
slightly  larger  than  the  open  entrance,  and  if  placed  in  the  light 
position  will  have  the  desired  effect.  It  should  he  so  fixed  that  any 
Lees  which  may  by  chance  leave  their  hive  will  be  able  to  return. 
Securing  Books. 
It  is  useless  to  expect  bees  to  winter  w'ell  unless  the  roofs  are 
made  secure,  as  it  is  quite  a  common  occurrence  for  tl.em  to  be  lifted 
off  the  hives  and  blown  some  distance  aw'ay  during  the  prevalence  eff 
high  winds.  AATien  this  happens  during  the  night,  and  is  followed  by 
a  heavy  downpour  of  rain,  the  interior  ,  of  the  hive  will  become 
saturated  before  the  bee-keeper  is  aware  of  it.  If  the  roofs  have 
hinges  and  arc  fastened  to  the  body  of  the  hive,  the  wdnd  w'ill  have 
little  effect  unless  the  hive  is  blown  over.  But  the  majority  of  hives 
are  made  so  that  the  roof  lilts  off.bodily. 
There  are  various  ways  of  securing  them,  either  by  passing  a 
strong  cord  lound  under  the  floor  board,  and  fastening  it  securely'  over 
the  roof,  or  fasten  a  brick  at  each  end  of  a  strong  cord,  pass  it  over 
the  roof,  and  allow'  the  bricks  to  hang  clear  on  each  side.  If  the  hives 
stand  singly,  and  are  not  on  a  stand,  a  peg  driven  into  the  ground  on 
each  side,  and  a  cord  passed  over  the  roof  and  la-^tened  to  the  peg  at 
both  ends,  w'ill  have  the  desired  effect.  Or  if  the  roof  is  not  span- 
roofed,  a  coujile  of  bricks  placed  on  the  top  will  answer  the  same 
purpose,  and  all  will  be  well. — An  English  Bee-keeper. 
How'  England  is  Supplied  w'ITH  Honey.— English  bees  are 
unable  to  produce  as  much  honey  as  England  needs.  Every  year  we  have 
to  import  2,250,009  lbs.,  of  w  hich  the  declared  value  is  £31,000,  or  about 
3jd.  per  lb.  Among  the  countries  engaged  in  supplying  our  markets 
with  this  product  the  principal  are  the  United  States,  Chili,  and  Peru,  the 
other  contributors  including  the  British  AVest  Indie.s,  France,  Australasia, 
Canada,  Germany’,  Italy,  and  the  Spanish  West  Indies.  No  statistics  of 
the  quantity  of  honey  produced  in  the  b  nited  Kingdom  are  obtainable, 
hut  it  is  quite  evident  that  bee-keeping  is  capable  of  being  much  more 
profitably  developed  than  it  is. — (“  AA'^estminster  Gazette.”) 
