July  30,  1903. 
JOURNAL  OF  HORTICULTURE  AND  COTTAGE  GARDENER. 
113 
Robbing, 
Autumn  is  the  time  when  the  worst  Icincl  of  robbing  is  probable, 
and  it  therefore  behoves  the  bee-keeper  to  use  every  endeavour  to 
prevent  it.  Novices  are  often  puzzled  to  know  when  robbing  is  in 
progress  in  its  earliest  stages.  The  method  of  detecting  it  is  very 
simple.  The  robber  bee,  when  it  attempts  to  enter  the  hive  which  is 
being  robbed,  has  an  unusual  appearance  in  flight.  Its  legs  appa¬ 
rently  hang  from  behind,  and  it  approaches  the  entrances  with 
gradual  jerky  flights — some¬ 
thing  like  a  hawk  when  it  sets 
its  prey — and  as  soon  as  it  is 
discovered,  or  sees  its  chance 
of  admission  closed,  it  quickly 
dodges  away  to  a  new  posi¬ 
tion  to  escape  the  sentinels. 
A  still  further  confirmation 
that  it  is  a  robber  may  be 
obtained  by  watching  the 
entrance  of  the  hive  closely 
after  the  entry  of  the  sup¬ 
posed  robber  bee.  An  in¬ 
habitant  of  the  hive  comes 
out  very  leisurely  and  takes 
wing  in  the  ordinary  way,  but 
with  the  robber  the  case  is 
different.  Its  appearance  at 
the  entrance  of  the  hive  is 
hurried,  and  as  it  no  doubt 
experiences  a  difficulty  in 
Triangular  Tub.  carrying  such  an  abnormally 
heavy  load,  it  will  rise  and  fail 
several  times,  and  finally  take  its  way  home  with  a  heavy  buzzing  flight, 
often  striking  objects  in  its  path  and  falling  almost  to  the  ground. 
The  robber  bee,  on  the  alighting  board  when  captured  and 
surrounded  by  enemies,  acts  in  a  very  singular  way.  If  she  is  an  old 
one  her  instinct  prompts  her  to  remain  perfectly  still  with  her 
abdomen  contracted,  suffering  the  bees  to  handle  her  in  their  own 
Avay.  She  never  attempts  to  retaliate,  as  that  Avould  mean  exposing 
her  weak  points.  The  Rev.  L.  L.  Langstroth,  the  father  of  American 
bee-keeping,  says — “  There  is  an  air  of  roguery  about  a  thieving  bee 
Avhich  to  the  expert  is  as  characteristic  as  are  the  motions  of  a  skilful 
pickpocket  to  a  policeman.” 
The  method  of  stopping  robbing  differs  Avith  circumstances.  If 
everything  containing  honey  is  made  bee-proof,  and  all  entrances  to 
hives  are  contracted,  so  that  the  inmates  can  better  protect  them¬ 
selves,  there  Avill  be  no  robbing.  There  is  nothing  like  prevention, 
and  immediately  the  season  is  on  the  Avane  the  apiarist  must  be  on 
his  guard  and  reduce  all  the  entrances  to  hives.  Care  must  be  taken 
not  to  spill  syrup  or  leave  honey  in  exposed  positions.  This  is  the 
most  frequent  cause  of  the  evil. 
To  stop  robbing  Avhen  it  is  in  progress  smear  the  entrance  Avith  a 
fcAV  drops  of  carbolic  acid,  and  if  it  has  not  already  been  done  reduce 
the  entrance.  The  carbolic  acid  should  in  this  case  be  put  on 
Avith  a  brush  or  feather,  as  the  skin  is  injured  by  contact  Avith  it. 
This  Avill  quickly  quell  the  disturbance  and  restore  tranquillity  in 
a  short  time.  If  it  is  ascertained  that  the  robbers  come  from 
the  same  apiary,  give  them  all  a  dose  of  smoke  at  the  entrance 
about  every  quarter  of 
an  hour.  This  Avill 
make  them  all  better 
tempered’  and  keep 
them  at  home. 
If  the  robbing  is 
continued  fill  a  water- 
can  and  put  on  a  very 
fine  rose,  giving  every 
colony  a  cold  douche 
at  the  entrance.  This 
is  effectual,  but  a  lot  of 
bees  are  lost.  It  is 
advisable  at  this  season 
to  feed  all  colonies  up 
simultaneously  and 
manipulate  all  hives 
in  the  eA'ening.  There 
Avill  then  be  little  or  no 
desire  to  rob. — E.  E., 
Sandbach.  Square  Tub. 
Tkade  Notice. — Messrs.  W.  H.  Hudson,  Chiswick,  London,  W., 
desire  to  state  that  their  seed,  bulb,  and  Japanese  Lily  business 
is  entirely  carried  on  at  34  to  36,  ChisAvick  High  Road",  London, 
W.  The  local  retail  shop  at  199,  High 'Road,  Kilburn,  has  been 
disposed  of  to  Mr.  Golding,  and  has  noAV  no  connection  Avith 
Mes.srs,  Hudson.  All  orders  by  post  should  in  future  be  addressed 
to  the  ChisAvick  address. 
^  WOKK-FoiitheWEEI 
Fruit  Forcing. 
CIJCTJMBERS. — Where  it  is  desired  to  have  fruit  in  the 
autumn  and  oiiAvard  through  the  Avinter,  seeds  may  be  soavu  early 
in  August,  and  the  idants  being  ready  for  planting  early  in 
September,  they  Avill,  in  a  light,  Avell-heated  structure,  Avith  a 
good  bottom  heat,  give  fruit  through  the  autumn  months,  and 
not  then  being  overcropped,  continue  in  bearing  during  the 
Avinter,  a  succession  of  bearing  Avood  being  maintained  by  cutting 
out  exhausted  and  training  in  young  for  the  purpose.  The  soil 
for  groAving  them'Avhere  eehvorm  has  been  troublesome  should  be 
disinfected  either  by  dry-heating  to  about  212deg  or  soaking  Avith 
boiling  Avater.  This  acts  admirably,  so  also  does  mixing  the  com¬ 
post  AA’ith  one  part  in  tAventy-eight  of  a  mixture  of  eight  parts 
basic  cinder  phosphate  and  three  parts  double  sulphate  of  potash 
and  magnesia  or  refined  kainit,  lib  of  this  mixture  being  added 
to  and  thoroughly  incorporated  by  turning  tAvo  or  three  times, 
then  left  a  month  or  -six  Aveeks  before  using  for  Cucumbers,  turn¬ 
ing  and  mixing  Avell  at  time  of  using.  This  renders  the  turf 
melloAV  and  in  excellent  condition  for  use. 
VINES  IN  POTS  FOR  EARLY  FORCING.— The  canes  for 
starting  in  November,  to  ripen  Grapes  in  March  or  April,  ought 
now  to  have  the  wmod  thoroughly  ripe  and  the  buds  plump.  If 
not,  keep  the  house  rather  AA'armer  by  day,  SOdeg  to  Sodeg,  closing 
early  so  as  to  raise  the  temperature  to  90deg  or  95deg,  and  throAv 
the  house  open  for  the  night.  The  foliage  must  be  Avell  exposed 
to  light  and  as  near  the  glass  as  po.ssible  Avithout  touching. 
Supply  AA’ater  or  liquid  manure  in  the  case  of  Vines  not  inclined 
to  luxuriance  in  sufficient  quantity  to  prevent  foliage  becoming 
limp,  but  do  not  give  it  until  the  soil  is  getting  dry. 
Lateral  groAvths  must  be  kept  in  check,  leaA'ing  no  more  than 
are  absolutely  necessarj'  to  appropriate  any  excess  of  sap,  and  so 
prevent  the  principal  buds  starting.  When  sufficiently  ripened, 
as  they  are  AA'hen  the  wood  becomes  broAAm  and  hard,  and  the  eyes 
are  prominent,  they  should  be  removed  to  a  position  outdoors  in 
the  full  sun,  standing  them  on  slates  or  boards  in  front  of  a  south 
Avail,  fence,  or  building,  securing  the  canes  to  the  face  of  the  Avail, 
only  giving  Avater  to  prev^ent  the  leaves  falling  prematurely,  and 
having  some  Avaterproof  material  at  hand  to  throAv  the  Avater  from 
the  pots  in  case  of  heavy  shoAvers  occurring.  In  this  position 
they  Avill  rest,  even  if  the  leaves  are  not  actually  shed,  pi'ovided 
they  are  not  kept  too  moist.  When  the  leaves  turn  yelloAv  cut 
them  close  to  the  cane,  but  Avithout  injury  to  the  buds,  and 
shorten  the  Vines  to  the  length  required,  or  from  Gft  to  8ft. 
Dress  all  the  cuts  carefully  Avith  styptic  or  patent  knotting.  The 
Vines  should  be  placed  in  a  cool,  airy,  dry  place  until  required 
for  forcing.  Though  dryness  at  the  roots  is  desirable,  the  soil 
must  not  be  alloAved  to 'become  dust-dry.  and  the  pots  must  be 
protected  from  frost  by  some  dry  material  placed  round  and  over 
them.  It  Avill  not,  of  course,  be  necessary  if  frost  has  not  access 
to  the  house. 
EARLY  FORCED  PLANTED-OFT  VINES.— A  dry  atmo¬ 
sphere  is  noAV  necessary,  not  so  much  to  ripen  the  Avood  as  to 
induce  rest.  All  the  laterals  must  be  kept  stopped  and  the  house 
cool,  AA-ith  moderate  dryness  at  the  roots.  The  inside  border  may 
require  Avater,  for  it  is  essential  that  the  roots  be  kept  healthy, 
and  the  soil  not  alloAved  to  crack  ;  but  if  the  border  has  been 
mulched  Avaterint;  may  not  be  necessary.  A  moderate  extension 
of  the  laterals  Avill  be  sufficient  to  keep  the  principal  foliage  in 
health.  Where  the  Vines  are  in  an  unsatisfactory  condition, 
preparation  should  be  made  for  lifting,  getting  fresh  loam  and 
clean  drainage,  so  that  the  Averk  can  be  quicklv  done  Avhen  begun. 
One  part  of  the  border  only  need  be  operated  upon  at  once,  the 
inside  one  year  and  the  outside  the  next.  This  prevents  loss  of 
crop.  The  roots  should  be  lifted  and  laid  in  fre.sh  soil  nearer  the 
surface,  Avhilst  there  is  foliage  on  the  Vines  :  therefore,  Avork  of 
this  nature  ought  not  to  be  delayed  beyond  the  early  part  of 
September,  in  the  case  of  Vines  that  ought  to  be  started  early  in 
December  The  Vines  Avill  need  pruning  by  the  middle  of 
September,  or,  Avhen  lifted,  a  little  later. 
HOrSES  REQEIRED  FOR  EARLY  FORCING.— V  ines  that 
have  not  been  fbreed  early  hitherto,  and  are  required  for  that 
purpose,  Avill,  as  soon  as  the  crops  are  off,  need  to  be  thoroughly 
syrino'eii  to  cleanse  them  from  dust  and  pests,  applying  an  insecti¬ 
cide,  If  necessary,  and  if  there  is  any  doubt  about  the  ripeness  of 
the  wood  or  the  plumpness  of  the  buds  it  Avill  be  necessary  to  keep 
the  house  rather  close  by  day,  but  Avith  sufficient  ventilation  to 
cause  evaporation  and  alloAv  the  moisture  to  escape.  Give  no 
more  Avater  than  Avill  prevent  the  foliage  becoming  limp.  If  the 
Aveather  prove  Avet  and  cold,  employ  fire  heat  to  niaintain  a 
temperature  of  7()deg  to  75deg  Avith  moderate  Amntilation,  and 
turn  the  heat  off  at  night  to  alloAv  tlie  pipes  to  cool,  increasing 
tiie  ventilation  so  as  to  induce  a  thorough  draught,  and  this  Avill 
