of the Show. At any local meeting it is difficult to find Turkeys and Geese of equal merit to those entered at Kettering; but it should be borne in mind that mixed colours in the Geese constituting a show pen are not allowable, however otherwise as individual birds they may be praiseworthy. The weather proved favourable. The Committee were most desirous to please everyone, and the visitors were quite as numerous as could be expected. Though the Pigeons were limited in number, as might be expected from the season being advanced, the classes of Pouters and Carriers were exceptionally good. A local exhibitor, Mr. Martin, took the cup with a beautiful White hen in excellent condition and show, and a first prize with his White cock, closely followed by an excellent Blue-pied. In Carrier cocks Blacks were first and second. In hens the first prize went to an excellent Black. A very good pair of Archangels in the Variety class won a cup. DORKINGS.-Any variety except White.-Cup, Henry Lingwood, Barking, Needham Market. 2, F. Parlett, Great Baddow. 8, E. W. Southwood, Fakenham. hc, A. S. Clarke, Lowestoft; T. E. Olo ham, Loddington Hall, Kettering; J. Holme, Leddington. White.-1, Rev. F. Tearle, Gazeley Vicarage. 2, J. Robinson, Garstang. 3, Miss A. Bayes, Kettering. COCHINS.-Cinnamon or Buff-Cup, Mrs. E. Allsop, Hindlip Hall, Worcester. 2, T. Rogers. 8, H. Lingwood. hc, D. Young, Leamington; H. J. Gunnell, Milton; J. Bloodworth, Cheltenham; J. Staley, North Cottingham, Newark Any other variety.-1, Mrs. E. Pryor, Welwyn. 2, T. M. Derry, Gedney. 8, P. Passmore, Northampton. BRAHMAS.-Light.-1, Horace Lingwood, Creeting, Needham Market. 2, J. Bloodworth, Cheltenham. 3, A. F. Faulkner, Thrapston. Dark.-1, Horace Lingwood. 2, W. R. Garner, Dyke, Bourne. 3, J. Watts, King's Heath, Birmingham. he, H. W. Castle, Kensington; H. Goddard, Hertford Road, London, N.; J. S. Clarke; Mrs. E. Pryor. GAME.-Black or Brown Reds.-), H. M. Julian, Hull. 2, T. Hancock, Northampton. 8, R. Hall. he, B. Cox, Moulton; E. Winwood, Worcester. Any other variety.-1, H. M. Julian. 2, B. Cox. 8, 0. Barnsdall, Newark. HAMBURGHS.-Gold or Silver-spangled.-1, J. Ward, Bardon Hill, Ashby-de-laZouche. 2, J. Robinson. 8, T. Love, Kingsthorpe. Gold or Silver-pencilled.1, J. Robinson. 2, C. J. N. Row, Melford. 8, T. Wild, jun., Melton Mowbray. c, E. Robinson, Kettering. FRENCH.-1, J. Robinson. (No competition.) SPANISH-1, T. Boulter, Spencer Street, Clerkenwell, London. 2, J. F. Parker, Northampton. 8, Mrs. E. Allsopp. hc, T. Rogers. c, S. W. Hallam. ANY OTHER VARIETY.-1, J. Robinson. 2, A. Silvester (Golden Poland). 8, J. Foster, Kettering (Black Hamburghs). he, G. W. Boothby, Louth (Golden Poland); Miss Blencowe, Kettering (Langshans); J. Foster (Black Hamburghs); Miss Vernon, Kettering (Golden Poland); Rev. N. J. Ridley, Newbury (Malays). BANTAMS.-Game.-1 and 8, Capt Wetherall, Loddington. 2, T. W: Anns, Clapham. he, Capt. Wetherall; D. Warren, Syston. e, M. Leno, Markyate Street. Any other variety.-1, M. Leno. 2, R. H. Ashton, Mottram. 8, Rev. F. Tearle. c. J. Watts. SELLING CLASS.-Cock or Cockerel.-1, J. S. Clarke, Oundle (Dark Brahma). 2, T. Rogers, Walsall. 3, J. F. Parker (Spanish). hc, Miss A. Bayes (White Dorking). c, H. Holle, Kingsland, London (Light Brahma); Miss C. E. Palmer, Odiham (Golden-spangled Hamburghs). Hens or Pullets.-1, T. Rogers. 2, Miss Vernon (Partridge Cochin). 8, T. Burnaby (Dorking). he, W. Nottage, Northampton (Spanish); W. E. Cave, Market Harborough (Buff Cochins); Mrs. E. Allsopp. c, G. F. Bentley, Linton (White Cochin); R. Sykes, Geddington (Dorking); B. Cox (Game); S. Horn, Kettering; A. F. Faulkner, Thrapstone (Golden-pencilled Hamburghs); W. Birch, Barnacle, Coventry (Brahma); P. Passmore (White Cochins). SELLING CLASS.-Drake.-1, T. Burnaby, Kettering (Rouen). 2, T. Plumb, 'Northampton (Aylesbury). 3. J. Harvey, jun., Thannington (Rouen). Ducks. -1, C. Richards, Glendon, Kettering. 2, M. Leno. 3, Sir J. B. Robinson, Kettering. DUCKS.-Rouen.-Cup, F. Parlett. 2, T. Burnaby. 8, M. E. Jones, Wellingborough. hc, J. Harvey, jun. Aylesbury.-1, J. J. Sharp, Broughton, Kettering. 2, T. Flumb. 8, H. Wyman, Stilton. he, H. J. Gunnell. TURKEYS.-1 and 3, H. J. Gunnell. 2, M. Kew, Market Overton. hc, Rev. N. J. Ridley; C. Richards. GEESE.-1, M. Kew. 2, H. Wyman. 8, J. Sheffield, Geddington Grange, Kettering. PIGEONS. CARRIERS.-Cock.-1, H. Yardley, Birmingham. 2 and 3, W. Minson, St. Ives. he, E. Beckwith, Bonnersfield, Sunderland; T. Chambers, jun., Northampton. Hen.-1, W. Minson. 2 and 8, E. Walker. POUTERS.-Cock-1, C. Martin, Kettering. 2, N. Hill, Ealing. 8, L. Watkin. he, C. Martin; L. Watkin, Northampton; W. Stiles, Rushton, Kettering. Hen. -Cup, C. Martin. 2, N. Hill. 3, E. Beckwith. TUMBLERS.-Almond.-Cock or Hen.-1, H. Yardley. 2, G. Packham, Exeter. 8, E. Beckwith. Any other variety.-Cock or Hen.-1, H. Yardley. 2, E. Beckwith. 3, J. Fielding, jun., Rochdale. hc, H. Yardley; J. E. Spence, Broughty Ferry. BARBS.-1, H. Yardley. 2, F. Wild, Hyde, Manchester. 8, W. Larkins, Henlow, Biggleswade. JACOBINS.-1, T. W. Swallow, Northampton. 2, T. Homes. 8 and hc, C. Martin. DRAGOONS.-1. W. Smith, Walton, Liverpool. 2, W. H. A. Miller, Walsall. 3, W. Stiles, Kettering. hc, W. Smith; W. Larkins; D. Young. FANTAILS.-1, H. Yardley. 2. J. E. Spence. 3, S. Horn, Kettering. TUBBITS.-1 and 2, C. A. Crafer, Wallington. S, C. Martin. ANTWERPS.-Short-faced.-1, C. F. Copeman, Copt Heath, Solihull. 2, H. Yardley. 5, W. B. Bull. Homing.-1, R. Hall, Cambridge. ANY OTHER VARIETY.-Cup, H. W. Webb, Lower Sydenham (Archangels). 2, A. Silvester. 3, H. Yardley. SELLING CLASS.-Pair or Single.-1, W. Nottage (Carrier). 2, G. J. Lenny, Lewes (Black Barbs). 3, W. Stiles (Dun Carrier). he, Master S. Vernon, Grafton Vicarage, Kettering (Speckled Jacobins); G. Packham (Priests); W. H. A. Miller (Carrier); H. Yardley; W. Nottage; G. J. Lenny (Dun Carriers and Grizzled Dragoon). RABBITS. LOP-EARED.-1, F. Banks, Doughty Street, London. 2, F. Purser, Bedford. 3, A. Ashmead, Northampton. ANY OTHER VARIETY.-1, J. Martin (Angora). 2, J. Tebbutt (Patagonian). 3, F. Purser (Silver-Grey). hc, G. Johnson; J. Martin (Angora); G. Foster, Northampton (Dutch). SELLING CLASS.-1, F. Banks. 2, J. Hallas, Huddersfield. 8, G. Johnson. The Judge for poultry was Mr. E. Hewitt, of Sparkbrook, near Birmingham; and the prizes for both Rabbits and Pigeons were awarded by Mr. F. Esquilant, of Brixton, London. IMPORTANT TO FOWL DEALERS.-At the petty sessions at Peterborough, a case of some importance to fowl dealers has been decided. A butcher and a beerhouse-keeper were fined 15s., inclusive of costs, for ill-treatment, which consisted in tying the birds by the legs in pairs, suspending them for sale, and carrying them in that position for about half a mile. The birds, when examined by the inspector of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, were half dead. The magistrates considered it a case of gross cruelty, and would have committed the defendants were they of opinion that the offence was knowingly committed.-(Land and Water.) NANTWICH POULTRY SHOW. THE fourteenth annual Show was held in the Town Hall, on the 6th and 7th inst. The entries were numerous, amounting to upwards of three hundred. The following awards were made: SELLING CLASS.-1, J. Pownall, Newton Hall. 2, C. W. Laxton, Nantwich. 8, J. Platt, Swanlow. he, W. Church, Nantwich. SPANISH.-1, Mrs. Allsopp. Worcester. 2, S. L. Edwards, Tarporley. TURKEYS.-1, Mrs. Cunliffe, Darnhall. 2, R. Beckett, Hartford. he, Miss E. Gibbes, Worleston; R. Macalister, Wenlock. GEESE.-1, R. Beckett, Hartford." DUCKS.-Aylesbury.-1, K. Beckett, Hartford. Ducks.-1, W. Evans, Prescott. 2, J. Platt, Swanlow. Various.-1, T. Rigby, Darnhall. GAME BANTAMS.-Brown Reds.-1, J. R. Fletcher, Stoneclough.2, A. Ashley, Worcester. 8, J. Platt, Swanlow. Other than Black or Brown Reds.-1, J. K. Fletcher. 2, T. Barker, Burnley. hc, A. Ashley. Black-breasted Reds.-1 and 8, Miss Baskerville, Sandbach. 2, A. Ashley, Worcester. hc, A. H. Jones, Liverpool. BANTAMS.-Not Game.-1, A. Ashley. 2, A. Smith, Halifax. DORKINGS.-1, S. Kitchen, Warmingham. 2, T. Rigby, Darnhall. COCHIN-CHINA-Partridge.-Society's Cup, T. Stretch, Ormskirk. 2, E. Tudman, Whitchurch. Other than Partridge.-1, A. Bamford, Middleton. 2, Mrs. Allsopp. 3, T. Rigby, Darnhall Mill. BRAHMAS.-1, A. Bamford. 2, G. Lightburn, Crewe. 3, G. Watson, Liverpool. GAME.-Cockerels.-Cup, J. Chesters, Nantwich. 2, T. Whittingham, Batherton. 8, T. Burgess, Burleydam. hc, R. Ashley, Nantwich; S. Joinson, Nantwich. Cocks.-Cup, C. W. Laxton, Nantwich. 2, W. Galley, Nantwich. 3, A. Robinson, Wrenbury Grange. hc, J. Chesters, Nantwich. Hen or Pullet.—1, J. Chesters. 2, P. Hinde, Little Budworth. 8, R. Sadler, Wrenbury. GAME. Black-breasted Reds. -1, W. Sumner, Winsford. 2, R. Ashley. Chickens.-1, R. Ashley. 2, E. Aykroyd, Eccleshall. 8, W. Manning, Hatherton. GAME.-Brown-breasted Reds.-1, J. Pedley, Nantwich. 2, E. Prince, Nantwich. 3, W. Miller, Wybunbury. Chickens.-1 and 2, T. Burgess, Burleydam. 3, R. Ashley. he, G. C. Barnett, Birkenhead. GAME.-Other than Black or Brown Reds.-1, W. Rycraft, jun., Acton. 2, T. Hassall & Co., Adderley. 8, J. Wilkinson, Norbury. he, W. Church, Nantwich. POLANDS.-1 and he, W. E. Little, Chester. ANY OTHER VARIETY-1, J. Pownall, Newton Hall (Crêve-Cœurs). 2, R. Hulse, Winsford (Black Hamburghs). 3, Mrs. Cunliffe, Darnhall (Houdans). HAMBURGHS.-Pencilled.-1, H. Smith, Newton, Hyde. 2, Mrs. Flynn, Church Lawton. 8, T. B. Lowe, Chester. Spangled.-1, Mrs. Flynn. 2, J. B. Manley, Middlewich. he, E. Roberts, Swanlow Bridge. POUTERS.-1, H. Yardley. BARBS.-1 and 2, J. Chesters. he, F. Wild, Hyde. TUMBLERS.-Short faced.-1, H. Yardley. 2, G. W. Dutton. Long-faced.—1 and 8, H. Ruscoe, Nantwich. 2, H. Yardley. FANTAILS.-1, G. F. Loversidge, Newark. 1 JACOBINS.-1, H. Yardley. 2, Master W. G. Forster, Shrewbridge. OWLS.-English.-1, A. Smith, Halifax. 2, E. Lee, Nantwich, ANY OTHER VARIETY.-1, G. Cutler (Foreign Owls). 2, T. Gamon, Nantwich (Runts). hc, H. Yardley; R. P. Earwaker, Alderley. DOVES.-1, Mrs. J. Hockenhull. 2, Master A. Hockenhull. SPALDING COLUMBARIAN SOCIETY'S SHOW. THIS was held on the 19th, when the annexed awards were made : POUTERS.-Blue.-Cock.-1 and 2, H. B. Massey. Hen.-1, H. B. Massey. 2, W. Andrew. Red-Cock.-1, H. Simpson. Any other colour.-Hen.-1, H. Simpson. 2, T. H. Dows. CARRIERS.-Black.-Cock.-1 and 8, W. Bulmer. 2 and hc, W. Massey. Hen. 1, 2, and 8, W. Bulmer. c, H. Simpson. Dun.-Cock.-1, W. Bulmer. 2, W. Massey. Hen.-1, W. Massey. 2, W. Bulmer. Any other colour.-Cock.-1, W. Massey. 2, H. B. Massey. BARBS.-Black or Dun.-Cock.-1, 2, and he, W. Massey. 8, H. B. Massey. Hen.-1, 2, and 3, W. Massey. hc, H. B. Massey. Red.-Cock-1, W. Massey. 2, C. G. Cave. Hen.-1, W. Massey. Any other colour.-Cock.-1, H. B. Massey. Hen.-1, H. B. Massey. DRAGOONS.-Blue.-Cock or Hen.-1 and 2, H. B. Massey. Any other colour. -1, W. Bulmer. ANTWERPS.-Homing.-1, 2, and 3, G. Shadford. TUMBLERS.-Almond.—1, 1. H. Dows. Any other colour.-1, T. H. Dows Short-faced Beards.-1, Extra, 2, and 3, W. Woodhouse. Short-faced Baldheads. -1, 2, and 3, W. Woodhouse. FANTAILS.-1, Extra, 2, 3, and c, H. Simpson. OwLs.-English.-1 and 8, W. Woodhouse. 2, H. B. Massey. c, H. Simpson; W. Woodhouse. BIRDS BRED IN 1873 POUTERS.-Blue-1, Extra, 2 and 3, H. B. Massey. White.-1, Extra, 2, and 3, H. Simpson. Red.-1, W. Andrew. Yellow.-1, W. Andrew. CARRIERS.-Black.-1, Extra, 2, W. Massey. 8 and hc, W. Bulmer. c, H. A. Ayrton. Dun.-1, Extra, 2, and he, W. Bulmer. 3 and c, W. Massey. Any other colour.-1, W. Massey. 2, H. B. Massey. BARBS.-Bluck or Dun.-1, Extra, and 3, W. Massey. 2, H. B. Massey. Red. C. G. Cave. -1, Extra, and 2, C. G. Cave. 8, H. B. Massey. Any other colour.-1 and Extra SELLING CLASSES.-Single.-1, W. Massey. 2, H. B. Massey. 8, H. A. Ayrton. Pair.-1, W. Massey. 2, H. B. Massey. 8, hc, and c, H. Simpson. RABBITS. LOP-EARED.-Buck.-1, A. C. Wiseman. Doe.-1, A. C. Wiseman. 2, R. Buff ham. BELGIAN HARE.-Buck.-1, A. C. Wiseman. 2, H. B. Massey. Doe.-1, T. H. Dows. 2, R. Buffham. SILVER-GREY.-1 and 3, E. Brummitt. 2, R. Buffham. he, E. S. Smith. HEAVIEST.-1, R. Buffham. 2, E. Brummitt. 3, E. S. Smith. laden bees which enter it. This was a favourite test of Bonnar JUDGES.-Pigeons: Mr. P. H. Jones, Ranelagh Lodge, Fulham when other conditions of age and weight are equal. THE RABBIT FEVER. WE are indebted to Mr. S. B. Pike, of San Francisco, California, for the information which we give in the extract which follows:"It may or may not be news to the fanciers on your side of the Continent to know that the Japanese have the Rabbit fever to that extent the chicken fever seems tame in comparison. Every steamer which has left this port for Japan for some weeks past has taken from 500 to 1000 head, which have sold there for all sorts of prices. I have the word of the first officer of the steamer "Great Republic," that he saw twelve hundred ($1200) Mexican dollars counted down upon the ship's deck for one Rabbit! How is that for high?"-(Pet-Stock Bulletin.) CAYENNING CANARIES.-A great deal of fuss has been made lately about peppering Canaries. The fanciers do not seem aware that in countries where cayenne grows out of doors the difficulty is to prevent the birds destroying the pods. I cannot see anything improper in indulging them in their natural taste. -F. C. HASSARD, Sheerness. THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE BEE SEASON. AMID the discouragements and disasters of the past almost unparalleled unpropitious bee season, which are not yet fully felt and realised in all their magnitude, nor will be for some weeks to come, it is cheering to recognise in some of the writers in the Journal that indomitable courage and perseverance in following out the favourite pursuit, that not even the sad experiences of 1873 are sufficient to damp their ardour or cool their love. The apiarian motto must evidently be "Nil desperandum." Bad seasons, like good ones, often run in a series consecutively, so that we may now reasonably hope that after so many bad and indifferent bee seasons we shall be on the verge of a glorious future which shall change the whole aspect of affairs-a future pregnant with grand results, and in which our little favourites can, from the pure and unadulterated fonts of nectar so richly supplied by Nature in her choicest flowers, fill our "crystal palaces" unaided by any of those devices which have so recently in these pages, for the honour of English apiculturists, been so justly condemned. Such at least are our hopes. "Cease every joy to glimmer on my mind, Like angel-visits, few and far between, Her musing mood shall every pang appease, And charm when pleasures lose their power to please." But, to pass from poetry to prose, many who would not be attracted by mere sentimentality on the subject will be instinctively drawn by the hopes held forth by your indefatigable correspondent, Mr. Pettigrew, who, as mounted upon the "paddle-box to pilot (as he says) the apiarian steamer for the next twelve months" in the Journal, holds up to view a £100 bank note (à la Gladstone with his financial budget before the nation) as his anticipated surplus profit in 1874, and therefore as an inducement to the apiarian crew to stand fast to their gear. I earnestly hope that Mr. Pettigrew will realise his heart's wishes, though we poor northerners would be content with comparatively smaller things. It was on the 15th February that I observed the first pollenladen bee enter one of my hives. On such occasions I always recall to mind good old Bonnar, who was one of the best practical apiarians of his day. "The first day in spring (he says) that I observe a bee carrying a load I generally call my family together, to take a glass and rejoice with me and my faithful servants at the return of the salutiferous season." The witnessing the first load certainly excites the keen apiarian, just as the first shot at the commencement of a battle excites the warrior. Such beginnings, small though they be, indicate that the season of repose is giving place to one of activity and industry, when great and combined efforts in the little community must be made to replenish their wasted stores and increase their diminished numbers; and for this end the ardour and perseverance of the little race is such, that not only is advantage taken of every favourable hour, but amid dangers and risks innumerable they hazard even life itself in the prosecution of their eager work. It will be remarked how different is the activity of the bee in early spring compared with that exhibited late in autumn when breeding is over. Pollen is the great object of search in spring in every well-conditioned hive, and a good criterion of its healthiness may always be formed by the number of pollen The past winter, being so mild and open, has told heavily upon the stores. I do not think I ever noticed such consumption. In an ordinary winter not more than from 7 to 10 lbs. are usually consumed, say from the beginning of October to the middle of March, but this winter the average month's consumption is much exceeded, so that some of my weaker hives are even now at starvation point. I fear, therefore, from the state of hives generally in the autumn, many will succumb to famine unless carefully examined and timeously attended to. For spring I recommend top-feeding for hives weak in bees, the bottle being chiefly used, or a piece of honeycomb placed on the opening at the top, and protected with any small super, in both cases to be closely wrapped with woollens and other appropriate coverings. This brings the food into close proximity to the bees, which in ungenial or cold weather is indispensable. In supplying populous hives with food I discard the bottle as the more troublesome method, and use for spring shallow zinc circular vessels of suitable size, with a central entrance tube, surrounded by a perforated wooden float, and all covered with a lid. For warmth cover over also with woollens, &c. I cannot approve of careless feeding of any kind, and more especially of the practice of pouring the liquid food over the combs. This is objectionable in two ways: It encourages robbers, and is injurious to the hive itself. Bees, as a rule, dislike wetted dripping combs, and when so supplied largely, as is sometimes recommended, the bees are often dislodged from the "brood nest," and this is highly prejudicial to prosperity. Neither should bees be fed at the entrance-door by the use of When adopting under-feeding at all I prefer inserting a trough a trough or otherwise, unless at night, as it may entice robbers. laterally in a receptacle purposely scooped out in the floor board, away from the doorway altogether. This trough when spring every precaution must be adopted to prevent pilfering not used is permanently placed in the floor board reversed. In and attacks by robber bees. Careless feeding must be especially guarded against, and in all cases of annoyance by stranger bees possible dimensions. no time should be lost in narrowing the doorway to the smallest I cannot close these remarks without cautioning beginners in bee-keeping against shifting their hives at this season of the will excuse me if I doubt that his experience in this matter year from one part of the garden to another. Mr. Pettigrew justifies the opinion he expressed under date 5th February, when he says that hives may at this season "be removed from one side of a garden to another with safety." Mr. Pettigrew must know that an opinion so expressed from the "paddle-box" is tantamount to a recommendation, and may lead some of the less experienced "crew" to adopt it. I have only to say that in all cases and circumstances such removals are to be condemned, and more especially at this inclement season. Many bees in every case are sure to be lost, and possibly even the hives themselves permanently damaged. We all know how invaluable even a few bees are at this early season, and therefore, short distance. At all times, I repeat, it is bad practice, and at as a rule, I strongly advise never to shift the site of a hive to a this season especially it is sure to be productive of disappointment and loss.-J. Lowe. FOUL BROOD IN HIVES. I SEE, by the proposed schedule of prizes to be offered for competition at the Crystal Palace exhibition of hives, that £5 will be offered for the best essay on the cause and cure of foul brood. As the schedule is presented subject to alteration, perhaps I may be excused for suggesting that the prize be offered for the best essay on the cause and prevention of foul brood, for certainly there is no cure for it. We might as easily cure rotten eggs. Frequently brood in this changeable climate is chilled to death and becomes foul. In spring and early in summer bees sit loosely over their combs, and spread their brood as widely as they can. A sudden change from heat to cold may cause the bees to creep more closely together, and thus expose some parts of the brood comb to the chilling influence of cold weather, and prevent the bees from properly attending to the brood. The cause here is not hidden. About eight years ago I went to Scotland in September, leaving three hives without sufficient food for the winter. When I returned I omitted to feed these hives till November. When I fed them the weather was open and warm, and the queens began to lay. In about ten days afterwards a severe frost set in and killed the brood. The bees were allowed to remain in these hives till the following March. The reader should, however, know that in nine cases out of ten foul brood is produced, not by chills, but by other causes not well understood; indeed, foul brood is oftener found in hives that have been full and apparently long on the point of swarming than in hives not so well filled. Hives managed on the non-swarming system are more frequently afflicted with this incurable malady than those managed on the swarming system. Let me repeat that dogmatic teaching on the cause of foul brood should not be attempted or expected. We are still ignorant as to the immediate cause of the Potato disease, and the cause of foul brood is equally beyond the ken of mortals. A week or two ago one of our practical teachers in the poultry department of this paper told us that he kept sixteen hens, eight pullets, and eight a year older, and never kept any over two years old. This is the advice I would tender to bee-keepers. Let the half of your stocks of bees be from swarms, and seldom keep any beyond two years old. Thus you will not suffer much in your apiary from foul brood.-A. PETTIGREW, Sale, Cheshire. A NEW WEEKLY PAPER is announced for the special use and benefit of fanciers, or those who breed for exhibition any kind of pet birds or animals, such as dogs, poultry, Pigeons, birds, Rabbits, Cats, &c. It is to be called "The Fanciers' Gazette," and will be under the editorship of Mr. Lewis Wright, so widely known by his various writings on poultry. OUR LETTER BOX. VARIOUS (I. N.).—We never feed our fowls on meat, beyond giving them the table scraps. We believe, wherever they have a good grass run they get enough of animal life for all useful or necessary purposes. We believe much mischief is done by overfeeding and by seeking out various foods. Excessive fat is not favourable to laying. If you mean to give meat, give it cooked. Raw meat induces cannibalistic habits. You may pinion the Dorking cock as you would any other bird-by cutting off the flight of the wing, but it will probably answer the purpose if you cut the feathers. BRAHMA COCKEREL DYING SUDDENLY (Novice).-You have no remedy against the seller. The bird would not have been highly commended by the judges had he not seemed in perfect health. We have never known fowls die of heart disease. They die of rupture of vessels on the brain. Cocks are more subject to it than hens, and it is more frequent at this time of year than at any other. We should set the eggs, and expect them to hatch, but we cannot think why you did not get another cock before. EGG-EATING HENS (Subscriber).-The best advice we can give you is to sell or kill the hen. She will not give up the habit while she is with you, and it is more than doubtful if she will at all. You should remove her at once, as the others will acquire the habit. PARENTAGE OF EGGS (C. G. Anxious).—If no other cock have access to the hens, we believe the cock fertilises all the laying. If another cock is admitted, it is then an undecided point how soon he may be supposed to have influence. You may wash your birds with soap and water, wiping the feathers downwards, and cleansing only the dirty-i.e., the outer part of the feathers. When they are clean put the bird or birds in a small open basket with plenty of straw, and stand them in front of the fire till they are dry. BRAHMAS NOT LAYING (Agricola).-If you consider the weather we have had the constant changes and great variations of temperature-you will hardly wonder that, being hens and not pullets, your Brahmas have not laid. Have a little patience and all will be well. We do not admire your feeding. Do away with the rice, potatoes, Indian meal, and raw meat; also with the wheat and oats. Give ground oats or barley meal morning and evening; some whole maize at midday; vary by giving the scraps. Give nothing more. We attribute half the complaints and disappointments of the present day to artificial and excessive feeding. EXTENSIVE POULTRY-KEEPING (Tauri Caput).-You put it out of our power to advise you, because you do not describe your locality and premises. How large is the stackyard? What is the acreage you command? What food can the birds get beside that which is given by hand? Is thrashing always going on? Why do you make no mention of fowls? Do you intend to sell none? There is no doubt poultry will pay if it is attended to, like any other business. The cause of much disappointment is that people wish to treat it as a hobby, as a mere fancy, and yet expect to find it profitable. In every pursuit we know, success is the reward of much and serious painstaking. As you cannot expect to get 130 eggs from every hen, you must make up the sum by selling young fowls for the table. This will enable you to sell the surplus stock of cock chickens. You must also keep a good supply of pullets for winter layers; their eggs will often make 2d. each. We do not believe you can make your poultry a certain income to be calculated like a sum in addition. With painstaking you can nevertheless make it pay, and if you will give us more detail of your appliances we will give you more advice. BROMLEY POULTRY SHOW.-We have received from "THE TREASURER OF THE BROMLEY SHOW" a letter in reply to "REPORTER," but the defence amounts to no more than is contained in these two sentences-the errors were "for want of time and assistance," and that the mistake about free carriage was the Secretary's. We at once say that these are no excuses, for if any one undertakes to manage a poultry show, he thereby undertakes that it shall be well managed. We never heard of a show worse conducted than that at Bromley-theft and mis-statements marked it; and as we are writing we have received the following:-"Having won a prize at the late Bromley Poultry Show, I was somewhat surprised at receiving the amount less one shilling, which was charged for the prize card! As a frequent winner at many of our greatest shows, I ask if this is not "something new ?" I will gladly sell the elaborate card to any of our correspondents, as I would far rather possess the shilling, and I believe other exhibitors will agree with me. -A WINNER AT THE BROMLEY SHOW." Such proceedings must prevent exhibitors sending birds to any future show at Bromley. OBJECTING TO JUDGES.-You have struck the right key to open the door for the reformation of a lot of abuse, and though I am not an exhibitor, I am aware of a circumstance where a judge has been treated in the manner described by "RESPICERE AD FINEM," and which cannot be too strongly denounced.-C. B. DORKING COCK'S COMB FALLEN (Richmond).-The falling comb is a disadvantage to a Dorking cock, but improved condition will sometimes cause it to become upright, except just at the back where it turns. If competition were close the defect would turn the scale against him. FEEDING BEES (A Monmouthshire Lady Bee-keeper).-In this month's Bee-keeper's Calendar (p. 135) most of your questions have been anticipated. About half a pound of sugar mixed with an equal weight of water, given to each of your hives, will stimulate your bees to breed and keep up the hum of prosperity. Clean the floorboards at once. Widen the entrances at the end of March. You may remove your hives a few feet at any time with safety, and change the covers too, as you intend to do. The loss of so many stocks of bees in your neighbourhood and elsewhere is wholly owing to the ignorance and inattention of their owners. A few pounds of sugar and a little attention would have saved them. BLEACHING GRASSES (E. H. E.).-Dissolve 2 ozs. of chloride of lime (bleaching powder), in three pints of water, put the grass into the solution, and let it remain in it for an hour; then take it out and rinse it in two or three changes of clean cold water. 18th.-White frost; a beautiful winter's day; bright, dry, and cold. 21st.-White frost again; fine till 2 P.M., then less bright, and rain in the 22nd.-Dull though fair all day; slight shower in the evening. COVENT GARDEN MARKET.-FEBRUARY 25. THE present moderate and open weather enables us to obtain a good supply of continental goods, which comprise Lettuces, Endive, Radishes, Artichokes, and Asparagus; the latter, however, maintains a high price. Of fruit there is nothing worth attention beyond the ordinary descriptions, excepting some Easter Beurré Pears. Hothouse Grapes and Pines are quite sufficient for the trade. A large arrival of the latter from St. Michael's took place on Saturday. Good sound samples of Potatoes are in good request, the bulk of inferior very heavy. Peas B. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. Artichokes.......... doz. 8 0 to 6 0 Mushrooms........ pottle 1 0 to 2 0 Asparagus... 100 4 0 80 Mustard & Cress..punnet 0 2 French 18 0 25 0 Onions bushel 4 0 Beans, Kidney....100 2 0 0 0 pickling........ quart 0 600 Beet, Red............ doz 1 0 80 Parsley per doz. bunches 40 Broccoli.......... bundle 09 16 Parsnips.... doz. 09 Cabbage............ dog. 1 0 1 6 quart 0 0 Capsicums........100 0 0 0 0 Potatoes.......... bushel 8 6 Carrots............ bunch 06 0 0 Kidney .......... do. 0 0 Cauliflower.......... doz. 8 0 60 Round.. do. 0 0 Celery..... ....... bundle 1 6 20 Radishes.. doz. bunches 1 0 Coleworts.. doz. bunches 2 6 40 Rhubarb.......... bundle 09 Cucumbers 2 6 ........ each 1 0 pickling doz. 0 0 0 0 doz. 2 0 0 0 Fennel............ bunch 0 8 0 0 Garlic................ lb. 0 6 0 0 Herbs..................... .bunch 0 3 Horseradish...... bundle 8 0 Leeks..............bunch 08 Lettuce.............. doz. 10 Endive.. 0 6 60 6 0 10 0 6 0 0 0 6 1 0 Salsafy.......... bundle 16 0 20 0 0 2 6 0 0 8 00 04 0 0 0 0 Spinach.......... bushel 2 0 40 Tomatoes.......... doz. 0 0 0 0 Turnips............bunch 0 8 40 Vegetable Marrows...... 00 From observations taken near London during forty-three years, the average day temperature of the week is 49.1°; and its night temperature 81.8. The greatest heat was 672, on the 10th, 1826; and the lowest cold 7° on the 10th, 1847. The greatest fall of rain was 0.60 inch. the few Zonals that I use for putting out in the garden in the summer; for, as I have previously said, I do nothing in the bedding-out line, and these are sufficient for my small wants. It will thus be seen that my house is tolerably full; it remains thus until early in February. By that time some of the Camellias have bloomed, and are removed into On the other side Lachenalia pendula is out of bloom, the lower house; this gives more room to the Azaleas. and the Pelargoniums are potted into larger pots, and given more space; the Roses are beginning to show their blooms, and the Cyclamens are in full blossom, while a The month of March sees another change-the Camellias few Hyacinths add both colour and perfume to the house. have gone into the lower house, the Lachenalias gone out of bloom, the Roses mostly over, and the space is given to Geraniums on the one side, and the Azaleas on the other; the store pots of Scarlet Geraniums are removed to the lower house, and if I can do so, they are potted-off singly, and placed in a cool frame, and the whole length of the upper shelf holds about eighty plants of Strawberries; they can hardly be called forced fruit, but I have, at least three or four weeks before I have any out of doors, fruit of Dr. Hogg were grand. some nice dishes of fine and clean fruit. Last season my NOTES FROM MY GARDEN, 1873.-No. 4. MY GREENHOUSE, AND WHAT I DID WITH IT. IRST let me describe it; for as I have studied economy of space and construction, what I have done may be found useful to others similarly situated. It is a span-roofed structure, 20 feet long, 12 feet wide, and 11 high; the bars of the roof are fixtures, and there is an opening in the middle of it for ventilation; the sides, down to the brickwork, have their sashes each to open, and there is also a small sash at each end for the same purpose, so that in one great requisite of a greenhouse, ventilation, I am not deficient. For heating I have adopted the simplest plan I could find-the old-fashioned flue, with this exception, that the real flue is only about 6 feet in length, and the remainder, which is carried right round the house, is of drain-pipes 4 inches in diameter. This I have found sufficient to exclude frost in the severest weather, and that is all that I want. It answers my purpose admirably. The furnace burns coke, cinders, coal-anything; and I have always felt that with a hot-water apparatus, however economical it might be, there was a great waste of power for a small house; moreover, unless it is used continually, there is great danger of its rusting and getting out of order. The inside of the house is arranged with a broad stage on each side, and a walk up the centre; in both of these I have studied utility, and I think, also, the appearance of the house is good. The stage stands 4 feet from the ground, and the walk, which is also made of battens, about 1 foot; underneath this latter I can stow away out of sight either pots or roots, such as Tropaeolums, Nerines, Lachenalias, &c., which have gone to rest; while under the stage I can place anything that I may wish temporarily to have under cover. Attached to the house, but on a lower level, is another, about 12 feet long, a lean-to, in which I have a couple of Black Hamburgh Vines, and which I am enabled to utilise in other ways. I should have said that I have over the walk in the upper house a hanging shelf running the whole length of the house, and two smaller ones at the end, all about 9 inches wide. Having thus described the house, let me say something-Ď., of its inmates. One stage I give up to hardwooded, the other to softwooded plants. It is the month of October, and the house is made snug for the winter. On the hardwooded side I have about three dozen plants of Camellias, the same of Azaleas of various sizes, and about half a dozen other plants, such as Genetyllis, Acacia, Pimelea, &c.; on the other side I have about four or five dozen of Show Pelargoniums-thanks to Mr. Charles Turner, these always being the new ones of the last and present season -these are for the present in small pots in order to economise space; then there are about a dozen Roses in pots, three or four Tropæolums, a dozen Cyclamens, some Lachenalias, a few Primulas, and some small Zonal Geraniums to give me a few winter blooms for specimen glasses. Then, on the upper shelf, I have in store pots No. 675.-VOL. XXVI., NEW SERIES. The last change in the house is when these have fruited, early in June; then the Camellias and most of the Azaleas have gone into the lower house, where I leave them to grow under the shade of the Vines, the shelf is removed, and the entire space given to the Show Pelargoniums, which by this time have been tied-out, and admirably occupy the place given to them. I do not mean to say that they are symmetrical plants, but they are not leggy, and they give me a copious bloom. As the spring advances I place inside the glass some of Collinge's shading, which I find quite enough, and yet so thin that it does not require to be taken down until the need for it is past. After the Geraniums are over I consider the house free until the autumn again, and I think that it may be fairly considered to have done its duty. And this was what I did with my greenhouse in 1873: the lower house is used to hold a number of Chrysanthemums in pots, where they bloom freely and well up to the end of December. Deal. FRUITING THE FICUS ELASTICA. FICUS ELASTICA is a general favourite with all who, like myself, grow a number of plants for decorative purposes. I think many will agree with me in saying that amongst all our valuable plants there is not one more suitable, taking all its merits into consideration, and the extreme low temperature in which it may be grown. As a decorative plant, where is there one which will bear the variable degrees of temperatures as this one? Throughout my twenty years' experience I heard not of its being bloomed and fruited until last year. In February, 1871, I inserted my cuttings in a common Cucumber-frame without pots. They rooted well, and made a good start in March. They were potted in 60-sized No. 1827.-VOL. LI, OLD SERIES. pots, placed in the stove until July, and afterwards potted in 48-sized pots. I then placed them in the greenhouse. As they became stronger they were frequently placed in vases, kept in the drawing-room for a week or ten days without water, and afterwards returned to the greenhouse. This treatment they endured frequently, until they became too leggy for that purpose. In February, 1872, I potted them in 36-sized pots to grow them on for conservatory purposes, and there they remained throughout the summer and autumn months up to December, frequently throwing roots over the top and underneath the pots, but these roots were cut off. It may be well for me to state that our conservatory was not heated the same autumn, the thermometer often reaching 34°. In January, 1873, the heads were taken for cuttings, and the old plants removed to the early vinery for a short time. When they had started into growth I noticed at the axil of each leaf something making its appearance as if for producing more shoots, but found that it was bloom. This was in June, but to my disappointment, like the Fig, it bloomed inwardly. I still waited, anxiously looking forward to the ripening period. I could not see any alteration in the fruit until September, when it commenced to change colour. When fully ripe it was of a very dark brown with light spots. The fruit increased about three-quarters of an inch in length. Soon afterwards I was tempted to taste it; it was quite sweet, agreeable, and full of seeds. The compost which I find suits it best is one-third light loam, one-third peat, adding leaf mould, cow dung, charcoal, silver sand, and a small portion of soot in equal proportions. -H. A. MANN, Brampton Park. CULTURE OF WINTER BROCCOLI FAR NORTH. In the Journal of February 19th I see an article on Winter Broccoli by your correspondent Mr. Taylor, in which he complains of the difficulty of getting it of a true strain, and I can fully endorse what he says on that head from experience. Winter Broccoli, in the north of Scotland, from where I write, is often a very uncertain crop under favourable circumstances, and of course much more so when seeds of mixed or inferior quality are supplied. In several places of note as vegetablegrowing establishments which I have seen, the quarters selected for winter Broccoli were generally the most favourable which could be had as regarded exposure to the sun, and on being appointed to a master's place, I, of course, followed the same plan with varying success, until a few years ago a circumstance occurred which made me alter my system as far as situation is concerned. Having received a packet of a variety known as Carter's Champion, I had it planted along with the others in a favourable position, as I supposed, sloping to the sun, and in the autumn it looked all that could be wished in a Broccoli to stand the winter and do good service. The winter being a rather mild one all went well till about the middle of January, when I looked through my Champions, expecting them to turn-in next month; but mischances will occur between the garden and the kitchen, so it proved in my case. The first fortnight in February we had hard frosts every night, with bright sunshine by day, during which my Broccoli almost succumbed or was rendered useless; but fortunately a few lines of the same variety were planted in another quarter, where they were shaded in the early part of the day by some trees at 20 yards from them, so that they were partially thawed before the sun got at them. They came in during March, and very good heads they were; so from that time we have always endeavoured to have room for winter Broccoli in such a position as not to have the sun till partially thawed, and have succeeded well since. It must be noted that ours is a rather light soil, and perhaps the above practice would not suit on clay soils. I know it is the practice in some places to lift and store the Broccoli in sand, and other means of protection afforded; but for one place with convenience for that, there are twenty where such cannot be attempted. Another great mistake with Broccoli to stand the winter is overcrowding, the consequence of which is that after a few nights of severe frost, followed by sunshine, down go the leaves never to rise more; with the exception of a few near the crown there is little to be expected from such plants. We give 3 feet by 24, and try to have the ground well trenched and manured, and by such means get stout robust plants fit to face all weathers. The selection of proper varieties, and not too many of them, is of great importance for winter crops. In summer one can make many shifts, but not in winter. Your able correspondent, "OLD FRIEND," has pictured but what is really the experience of many a gardener if willing to confess it. Now, in the case of Broccoli, every year brings out new varieties with high-sounding qualities recommending them to the notice of the public; they may or may not be what they are given out for, but as (" Burnt bairns dread the fire"), I always make a point of not dismissing the old tried sorts for the stranger, but rather plant an extra line before trusting him further till assured of his friendship by proof. There is one introduction of late years which is a great acquisition to us in the north, whatever it may be in the south-that is, Veitch's Autumn Giant Cauliflower. The past two seasons we have cut it in fine condition from September to January, and I do not know how much longer we might have done so had more been planted, and such heads as to put the autumn Broccoli into the shade; it is the only addition of importance we have made to our old varieties, which in ordinary seasons give us a pretty constant supply. We have, first, Snow's Winter White, which succeeds the Cauliflowers; then Granger's Spring White, followed by Wilcove White, a really good sort which carries us well on to the Cauliflower season again. Now, there may be many other varieties of equal merit to these, but as they give us a full supply I am perfectly satisfied with them. I believe much of success with Broccoli depends on not letting the plants remain too long in the seed bed before pricking them out, and finally planting them before they are too large and drawn-up, for once in that condition they may as well be thrown away. With plenty of room when planted-out, and the soil well worked and kept constantly stirred with the hoe, and only such sorts as are to be depended on planted, no one on moderately light soil need despair of having winter Broccoli. But as a great many readers of the Journal have clay soils, an article on the management on such would no doubt be very acceptable.-J. S., Aberdeen. ERANTHIS HYEMALIS, OR WINTER ACONITE. THIS cheerful-looking plant, with its bright yellow flowers, is not half so often met with as it ought to be, for, like many other favourites of former days, it is utterly neglected by the fashionable flower gardener, who, in limiting his display to a certain period, has totally ignored the remainder of the season. and at least the first two and the last two months in the year have no place in his calendar. The plant is of neat growth, and produces rich-coloured blooms, equalling in that respect the best forms of the bedding Calceolaria; and although it blooms very often in January, and more abundantly in February, at a time when flowers of all kinds are scarce, its importance seems not to be duly appreciated, probably owing to some idea of its being difficult to manage, and also, perhaps, from its not being sufficiently known. Be this as it may, a plant with bright shining foliage of a clear unspotted green, with flowers larger than the Primrose, supported on stalks not more than 3 or 4 inches high, and appearing almost in midwinter, ought not to be lost sight of. It is by no means plentiful; possibly it was more so half a century ago, and the places where it is most likely to be found in quantities are some of the old-fashioned gardens which it is a treat now and then to meet with. Perhaps one of the causes of this plant's not being more frequently met with in fashionable winter or spring bedding is the fact that it does not transplant so well as many others, and the best examples of it are seen where it has been let alone for two or three years; then it rushes up in luxuriance every Christmas, and blooms at the proper time. The best examples of it at this place are planted as edgings to Rose beds, and also as edgings or rings round single trees or shrubs, where it is not disturbed the whole year round. In such places it ripens seed, sows itself, and often comes up amongst the turf, or it may be on the gravel walk, and it also increases itself at the root, but not very rapidly; so that in most cases where an edging of it is wanted I would recommend sowing the seed as soon as it is gathered, and that care should be taken that it is not disturbed till the ensuing spring, when it comes up thickly enough. Excepting transplanting in order to fill-up defective places, I would leave the plants in the seed row, unless they are very close together, in which case thinning may be necessary. Usually this plant thrives in a dry open soil, but our experience with it shows that it also succeeds well in one of a |