266 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
March  31,  IWU. 
soiiiui  at  the  cro\cn  plant  in  some  soil  in  a  cold  frain-.'. 
I'wccj)  the  lights  closed,  and  p;ro\\tlis  will  soon  start.  It  moi;* 
are  reciniia'd  the  roots  may  tlum  he  dividt'd,  eacli  division  havine; 
erow  ths  attached.  Some  ot  tin*  old  tnl)(M’oii,>  roots  will  he  snper- 
diioiis,  and  shonld  Ix'  detacluxl.  Plant  tlie.se  division--  attain  in 
the  frame  for  a  time  before  liftine-,  and  finally  planti?ie;  in 
Howenine;  positions,  which  mav  lx-  done  towards  the  (nul  of  iVlav. 
hhOWPI?  AND  SHm  i'fHPIfV  HOlfDPUS.  Make  the-.' 
clean  a.nd  tidy  by  inninne;  the  hoe  thron‘>;h  the  soil,  breakine; 
lip  the  lumps,  destro\ine  semlline  weeds,  and  leaving  the  sur¬ 
face  fresli.  .  P.  I).  vS..  (iiavesend. 
- - 
Young  Gardeners’  Domain, 
'tlici  lOditor  welcomes  slioit  letters  from  under  gardeueis'.  Let  ter.s  slujuld  heron- 
tilled  to  DOO  words  in  length,  should  he  written  only  on  one  si  ’e  of  the  paper, 
as  clearly  as  possible,  with  one  inch  space  at  both  top  and  bottom,  as  well 
•a.s  at  the  side.s.  'I'lie  names  and  addresses  of  the  writers  must  accompany 
all  communicatioiH,  not  necessarily  for  publication,  but  as  a  guarantee  of 
good  faith.  If  theie  pedu's  are  not  respected,  the  letters  c.aunot  be  considered. 
Scottish  V.  English  Gardeneps. 
It  hardly  seemed  worth  while  to  answan-  “  Scot’s  ”  qne.stion 
regarding  the  imnits  of  English  and  Scottish  gardeners,  but 
none  of  his  contemporaries  appear  to  have  reinenibered  the  fact 
that  the  superiority  of  the  Scots  gardener  which  may  have 
olitained  in  years  gone  by.  was  dtte  solely  to  the  fact  that  ti 
( ■■rtain  ainotint  of  (xlncation  was  always  necessary  to  the  gar- 
tlener.  Education  of  this  nature  hecame  general  in  Scotland  at 
an  earlier  period  than  in  England,  therefore  the  Scots  gardener 
liad  this  immen.se  advantage  over  his  English  confrere,  and  one 
innst  admit  that  in  days  gone  by  he  mach'  the  most  of  it.  This 
advantage  does  not  exist  to-day.  In  my  o])inion  the  yonng  Scots 
gardener  is  apt  to  place  too  much  reliance  on  the  sni)erioiity  of 
his  ancestors,  and  a  recent  expeiience  is  a  case  in  point: — A 
yonng  Scot  straight  from  the  “  Land  o’  Cakes”  (and  therefore 
iincontaminated  with  anything  English),  well  fortified  with 
verbal  evidence  of  the  superiority  of  his  forbears,  came  to  take 
a  charge  of  some  houses.  Notliing,  however,  wonid  induce  Inm 
to  sliow  in  a  practical  direction  any  of  these  (pialities.  Tins  Avas 
specially  noted  in  the  daily  lontine.  Thiips,  red  spider.  Am., 
were  becondng  most  foimiidable.  Syringing  was  such  hard  work. 
'The  almost  daily  loss  or  leakage  of  some  vital  part  of  the  syringe 
or  engine  no  doubt  eased  the  operator  sonn'what,  but  the  prompt 
renewal  of  tliese  e.ssentials  did  not  have  the  desired  effect.  Things 
came  to  a  climax  when  he  appeared  at  his  work  in  a  most 
siimptnoiis  pair  ot  gent’s  evening  shoes  of  patent  leather  and  silk 
bows!  A  Spectatoh. 
[This  discussion  is  now  closfxl.  —  En.] 
The  Post  Office  Savings  Bank. 
Having  read  the  note  from  "  G.”  asking  what  "  An  Old  Boy  ” 
would  have  a  yenng  man  do  if  he  desires  to  get  on,  perhaps  my 
experience  may  help  him.  Having  had  eight  years  in  a  bothy 
I  think  I  can  safely  si>eak  upon  tins  subject.  During  my  term 
I  have  met  many  yonng  men  who  haA’e  been  rather  "wild,”  and 
who  never  had  a  ])enny  after  IMonday  ;  and  one  fellow  I  had  to 
lead  ten  shillings  for  him  to  go  home  on  holiday.  I  am  thaidcfnl 
to  say  this,  however,  that  was  the  worst  one:  and,  working  with 
many  yonng  men,  I  harm  had  the  pleasure  of  being  the  means  of 
their  starting  an  account  in  the  savings  liank.  I  have  met  young 
fellows  who  have  been  good-hearted,  hard-working  chaps,  but 
lacking  the  great  (piality  of  knowing  how  to  save. 
I  am  a  chap  who  likes  "  a  pipe  ”  and  "  a  glass”  now  and  again, 
and  also  a  little  enjoyment  w  hen  I  can  spare  the  time  :  and  I  am 
pleased  to  be  the  holder  of  a  little  hanking  account.  Perhaps 
how  I  manage  Avill  help  some  of  those  who  have  never  thought  how 
much  they  can  sar-e  on  a  little  ineome.  I  get  IBs.  a  week.  Kach 
week  I  put  (is^  aside  for  my  bank  book.  Is.  for  tobacco,  lid.  for 
washing,  and  7s.  for  food,  leaving  me  3s.  (id.  for  clothes  and  plea- 
.siire,  which  is  quite  enough  for  myself.  I  am  r  ery  pleased  to  say 
that  all  the  men  in  this  bothy  are  steady,  sardiig  fellow.s,  and 
study  their  duties;  Init,  in  closing,  let  me  add.  Never  be  rvhat 
is  called  mean,  or  sucociss  you  will  neAn>r  find.  Wishing  er'ervone 
the  contentment  that  I  liaA'e,  let  me  sign  mvself — A  Joukxea'max 
(Sussex). 
- - - - 
Pkixtino  Tkades.— Me  are  informed  that  an  international 
l)rinting,  stationery,  and  allietl  trades’  exhibition  will  take  idac? 
in  the  Agricultural  Hall,  Islington,  London,  N..  frem  Saturdav, 
April  30,  to  Saturday,  May  14,  1904,  inclusive. 
A  In'CKY  TfaNiih—  The  Tiirnij)  aaIucIi  George  Goodincke,  in 
-Xovmmber,  took  fiom  a  field  at  Scarborough  because  he  Avas 
hungry,  and  AAhich  led  to  him  being  sent  to  prison  for  seven 
days,  has  turned  out  a  A^ery  lucky  one.  His  ti’eatment  excited 
great  public  .sympathy.  His  fine  Avas  paid  and  money  AAas  .sent 
for  him  from  all  parts  of  the  country.  Goodricke  is  noA\'  on  his 
Aiay  to  1  oronto.  outfit  and  pa.ssage  having  been  paid  for  out  of 
money  sent.  He  is  a  tinner,  and  Avas  at  one  time  in  business 
111  Star'  u'ougli.  At  Toronto  he  AA'ill  make  a  upaa'  stait. 
The  Stewarton  Hive. 
In  reply  to  ”  .SteAvarton.”  I  would  say  that  catalogue  prices 
do  admittedly  diffei'.  but  if  the  cheapest  price  (pioted  be  taken 
of  the  requisite  number  of  boxes  for  the  iiroduction  of  a  specified 
quantity  of  honey  in  a  frame  hive,  and  conijiared  AAith  those 
necessary  for  the  Stewartoii,  yon  AA'ill  find  there  is  a  disparity  in 
favour  of  the  former.  Where  the  jirospectiAW'  apiarist  can  make 
his  OAA'ii  hiv'es,  he  may  do  so  on  the  score  of  economy,  but  con¬ 
siderably  more  difficulty  aaoiiuI  be  ex))erienced  in  making  the 
octagonal  SteAvarton  than  the  har-frame.  Avhich  is  practically  a 
square  box.  Tbe  empty  box  (piestion  i.s  evidently  governed'  by 
the  hiAA'  of  supply  and  demand.  There  are  so  many  used  locally 
for  [lacking  purposes  that  two  linns  are  enqiloyed  making  them. 
*•  Hexagonal  ”  also  inquires  aliout  this  hive.  The  brood  nest 
is  always  extended  more  raiiidly  downwards,  therefore  additional 
room  shonld  be  given  underneath.  Supei'  .s|)ace,  is  gitmii 
gradually  in  order  to  conseiwe  the  heat.  4’he  instinct  of  the  bees 
is  to  fill  whateAU^r  space  thei'e  is  above  the  hiood  nest,  and  they 
appear  to  Avork  more  enei'geticaliy  Avhen  the  super  is  on  the  point 
of  conqiletion,  so  that  by  gradual  extension  there  is  a  consant 
excitement  and  energy  maintained.  All  the  slides  in  the  loAver 
liody  box  must  be  o[)eiied  and  the  two  treated  as  one  chamber. 
One  entrance,  as  you  suggest,  Avill  be  (piite  sufficient,  i.e.,  at  the 
hottom. 
The  folloAving  extract  from  one  of  the  speeches  of  Mr.  CoAvan 
(the  editor  of  the  “  British  Bee  .Journal  ”)  AA'ill  sIioaa'  Avhy  young 
(pieeiis  should  be  kept.  "  Mr.  Cowan  [iroceeded  to  ob.serve  that 
in  America  they  hatl  at  last  come  to  the  decision  that  yon  must 
have  yonng  .selected  (pieens  if  you  are  to  do  any  good.  The 
Ameiicans  advocated  keeping  them  three  years,  but  he  had 
alw  ays  maintained  that  the  second  season  AA  as  C[uite  long  enough, 
as  a  (pieen  could  exhaust  her  laying  [lowers  in  that  time.  He 
thought  it  was  to  the  advantage  of  the  hee-keeper  to  try  to 
exhaust  the  laying  poAvers  in  tAvo  sea.sons,  aUAl  I'eplace  them  by 
[inrchasing  yonng  ones,  as  he  did.  If  Lnglish  hee-keepers  Avere 
to  pay  more  attention  to  sek^ction  for  particular  points,  Ave 
shonld  not  require  to  impoit  foreign  bees.” — E.  E. 
Prepapation. 
'The  bee-k(xqier  shoukl  now  commence  [ire[iaring  for  the 
coming  season  hv  [lainting  hives  and  [lulting  all  his  appliances  in 
orch'r.  'The  atmos[ihei'ic  conditions  during  tlu'  month  AA'ill  no 
douht  encourage  the  grow  tli  of  the  Crocus,  the  lilooming  of  Avliich 
usually  maiks  the  time  for  the  commencement  of  spring  stinnda- 
tion,  and  the  bees  become  active;  but,  should  a  sudden  fro.st 
occur,  it  will  force  them  to  contract  themseU'es  to  the  smallest 
compass.  Nothing  further  in  the  AAay  of  stimulation  is  advisable 
yet,  but  rather  conserve  the  enei'gy  of  the  hees.  If  feeding  is 
/'bsolutely  necessary,  the  food  must  lx>  given  in  the  evening,  and 
in  such  a  quantity  that  the  bees  can  take  it  down  and  store  it  in 
a  feAV  hours. 
By  administering  food  in  this  manner  the  bees  are  not 
tenqited  to  extend  the  brood  nest  unduly.  If  gir^en  in  the  day¬ 
time,  its  exciting  influefice  causes  them  to  fly,  and  the  conse¬ 
quences  might  he  serious.  The  food  shonld  he  composed  of  one 
[lint  of  Avater  to  two  pounds  of  sugar,  with  a  tablespoonful  of 
A'iiu'gar,  as  an  excess  of  water  in  tlu>  syrup  is  an  adv'antage  in 
the  breeding  season.  On  fine  Avarm  day.s  artificial  [lollen  —  pea- 
flour  pieferably,  thi-s  being  the  best  knoAvn  article  for  the  pur¬ 
pose  -  should  be  put  into  the  Crocus  cups,  where  the  bees  Avill 
readily  take  it  u[i  and  carry  it  to  the  hives. 
If  hreeding  has  been  stimulated  artificially  by  feeding,  it  Avifl 
be  nece.ssary  for  the  supplies  to  be  kept  up  daily,  increasing  pro¬ 
portionately  with  the  AA'ants  of  the  brood  until  natural  snp[ilie.s 
become  sufficient,  or  the  stocks  may  be  in  danger  of  starvation, 
and  colonies  aa  hich  had  been  in  an  encouraging  condition  Avoidd 
dAvindle  and  decline.  Very  gi'eat  care  is  also  necessary  at  . this 
time  of  the  year  during  feeding  to  prevent  robbing.  The 
entrances  to  hives  Avhich  are  being  fed  shonld  be  contracted,  and 
any  syiup  AA'hich  inay  be  .sjiilled  shonld  be  cleared  aAvay  or 
covered  up  with  soil,  or  a  little  carholic  acid  sprinkled  over  it. 
'The  changeable  temperatures  during  spi'ing  make  it  e.ssential 
for  the  broocl  nest  to  be  kept  as  snug  as  [lo.ssible,  .so  that  thert? 
may  be  no  di'aught  through  it,  or  any  possibility  of  loss  of  heat. 
'The  entrances  of  hives  should  not  be  too  AA'ide,  but  regulated 
according  to  the  necessities  of  the  colony.  It  is  better  for  then) 
to  have  to  ventilate  during  a  AAarm  spell  than  that  they  shonld 
be  forced  to  contract  dni'ing  a  cold  one. 
4'he  atmos[)here  within  the  hive  must  be  moist,  and  ventila¬ 
tion  will  be  governed  liy  the  bees  through  the  entrance,  Avliich 
during  changes  of  AAeather  may  be  benticially  narroAA'ed  to  pre^ 
vent  lo.ss  of  heat.  A  thoi'dugh  examination  of  colonies  shoidd 
take  place  the  first  fine  Avarm  day  aa  hen  the  temperature  is 
a])Ove  (iOdeg  or  thereabouts. 
Floor  boards  should  be  cleamsed  and  dried  if  damp,  and  quilts 
may  be  exeJianged  and  disinfected,  if  necessary,  before  further 
use.  E.  E.,  Sandbach. 
