holes were made, even though there were queen cells formed in other parts of the hive.

I am well aware that the queen frequently lays two and three eggs in a cell, but I have never seen a bee with one in its mouth, and I believe with Mr. Lowe that they eat them, and instead of the bees following the queen to pick them up they are more intent on feeding her; and it is an error to say that there are always four or six bees following a queen. They do not follow, but as the queen passes along every bee turns its head towards her and feels her, ready to feed her if she wants. I have never seen her take honey from the cells herself, she is always fed by the bees.

I have seen the queen lay seven eggs in a minute, but not often. Three in a minute are about as many as she can lay at the very height of the season, and even then she takes a rest of from ten to fifteen minutes, often longer; but she continues laying night and day with the exception of these intervals. The queen I have at present in the unicomb hive has not been laying one egg in ten minutes, but as it gets warmer she will be laying oftener. I find it is a universal belief, which must have been propagated by apiarians, that bees will not work if they are exposed to the light: there never was a greater error, as mine are exposed at all times to the light, and they go on as if in the dark, paying no attention to anyone looking at them, and do not darken the glass to prevent their being seen, as is generally believed.

After the queen and swarm had left the hive, and before the young queen was out of the cell, having a spare queen which was laying eggs I introduced her to the unicomb hive to see if they would accept her instead of waiting for one of their own rearing. As soon as she got in, the greatest uproar took place with the bees throughout the hive. Every one seemed to know instantaneously that there was something wrong. They at once surrounded her, jamming her up between the combs and glass so that she could not move, and there suffocated her. It was fully an hour before they left her, when they carried her dead body to the door.

I have not the least idea why it is that the queen is reared in a cell hanging nearly perpendicular, with the head undermost, while the working bees and drones are reared in a horizontal cell; and the queen grub is enveloped in royal jelly, which has the appearance of boiled sago, and is sweet to the taste, while that of the working bee is of a greenish yellow colour and has a bitter taste. The queen grub is sealed-up with abundance of the royal jelly, in fact she lies embedded in it, while the working bees and drones have a very small quantity, if any, when sealed. The queen, working bees, and drones all eat themselves out of the cells without any assistance from the other bees.

As the queen whose history I have given had not bees enough to make a second swarm she never gave the usual warning for a second, so that I cannot say in what state the queens are when they make their peculiar calls before swarming.-A. SHEARER, Yester, Haddington.

BARTON-ON-HUMBER SHOW.-In reply to Mr. F. Bankes' inquiry in this day's Journal, page 376, I beg to say that I have made a number of applications for prize money, but all have been without reply. I am now determined to put the matter in the hands of my solicitor, and shall carry the matter out to its utmost as a caution for other shows.-A. A. VANDER MEERSCH, The Walnuts, Tooting.

DORKING COCK PROSTRATED (E. J. K.).—He is suffering from disease of the windpipe and lungs, we fear with little chance of recovery. Your diet and treatment are good provided the action of the gizzard and bowels is free; if not, give copious doses of castor oil, and confine the food to bread and ale and bread and milk.

TESTING THE VITALITY OF EGGS (J. L. W.).—We will tell you the way in which we and many others try eggs, in some instances by the thousand. After five or more days' incubation choose a sunshiny day; get into a dark place such as an outhouse without window, open the door a little to admit a strong ray of light; take the egg in the left hand, and form a telescope with both, the right hand being nearest to the face. Place the eye close to the hand, and look at the sun through the egg. If life has begun there will be a dark streak plainly visible in the egg. You must not look for any defined form, but simply for that change which betokens the beginning of life. This can be so fully depended upon that many, especially among Pheasant-rearers, try the eggs from under three hens in this way; by discarding the unfertile ones they put two heats of good eggs under two hens, and supply the third with an entirely fresh nest.

CROOKED CROPS (Rob Roy).-We do not understand what you mean by "crooked crops." We know no such complaint. If you mean pendant crops, when they hang down in an unnatural manner, the only cure for it is to feed on hard food, and to allow only water enough to satisfy necessity. It is very difficult to treat chickens medically, and we believe if only two or three are affected it will be better to let them take their chance.

FOWLS FEATHERLESS (F. C. H. and H. T.).-We take it for granted your fowls are in confinement. We have never known birds at liberty to pick each other's feathers. In our experience, the habit is confined to the Spanish and the Houdans. Some years past a pen of Creve Coeurs vexed us with the same habit. We have never known Dorkings or Brahmas do it. There is no cure. The evil may be lessened by giving plenty of green food, especially lettuce and grass cut with lots of fresh earth and mould, also by giving fresh horse dung. We believe it arises from the fact they lack something they get when at liberty; the consequence is an excited and unnatural appetite, which they

seek to appease by eating each other. There is one consolation-it is only at this season of the year they are subject to it. After their moult they will be rational fowls till next April. Eat your eggs and forget the fowls. If, how ever, only two or three are feather-cannibals, separate them from the others. You need not be annoyed if the hens have bare backs and broken feathers, there is often a natural cause for it.

FOWLS FOR LAYING (J. M. F.).-You have nearly all that is necessary. All the breeds you mention (Brahmas, Houdans, Creve-Coeurs) are good layers. The Brahma is one of the most useful fowls we have. Houdans and CrèveCœurs are both good layers. It is easy to imagine how we should like to have fowls that laid all the year round, but such remain in the class "desiderata." To insure winter layers you must have relays of pullets. You should keep some hatched last month, some of this month, and some of next. It is not the property of any breed to lay in the winter, but if there be one it is the Crêve-Ca ur.

COLOUR OF EGGS (J. C. A.).—There is no rule about the colour of eggs, but we do not recollect in our experience ever having seen a dark egg from a Spanish hen. We have seen white eggs commonly from Ducks. We have known a Cochin hen lay an egg on one day almost white, and on the following day one almost chocolate. Again, Dorkings commonly lay cream-coloured eggs. Game do the same. All our Eastern fowls lay dark and thick-shelled eggs; but sometimes, from causes beyond our ken, they will for days lay slight and nearly white eggs. It is said by many, and we are not disposed to treat their theory lightly, that the shades of colour in an egg are influenced by temperature. We should not doubt the purity of the birds, and should not hesitate to set their eggs.

UNPRODUCTIVE EGGS (Snuff Box).-"There is something rotten in the state of Denmark." Eight chickens from 156 eggs! "All this sack to a pennyworth of bread." You cannot expect to hatch chickens if you allow the hens to sit where the others lay. There is nothing a laying hen likes so much as to deposit her eggs in a sitting hen's nest. They then come off at different times, one at a time, and die for want of attention. You must take your eggs and put them under a broody hen, putting her in a box or a basket with a sod of grass for the bottom, and a little straw or hay at top. Put the eggs on this, shut down the lid if there is one. If there is not, cover the top so that the hen cannot get out. She must be in some place where no other fowl has access. For nine or ten days before hatching moisten the eggs well while the hen is off feeding, and your bad luck will cease. REARING YOUNG DUCKS (C. H.).-The best food for young Ducks is oatmeal. If they are hatched under a hen you may let them be at liberty with her, providing them with oatmeal mixed with water in a plate. If there is water they (to the hen's great discomfort) will dabble about on the edge of it and find some food. If hatched under a Duck the safest plan is to confine them for a fortnight in some old place such as a pigstye, where the faulty paving or earth allows of puddles. They must be fed here in the same way. The objection to a Duck being at liberty with her brood is, she drags them about towards evening when the flies are about, she takes them under beetling banks, and often leaves some behind. Where there is only a small and open pond, the Duck may be safely left at liberty with her brood.

CAUSE OF ROUP (Idem).-Roup is in some instances the result of cold and chill. In others it is caused by insufficient food, often by bad lodging, very frequently by dirt, at times by long confinement in small places, and rarely it is brought about by degeneracy and want of constitution. PETTIGREW'S HIVES (F. E. H.).-Pettigrew's hives have straw lids on their thick will do as well. Mr. Pettigrew covers his hives with pieces of old carpet, crown-holes; but in the absence of these, pieces of wood of any kind an inch cocoa-nut matting, or any materials he can find at hand, and places over these roofing felt. This felt when first used is rather stiff and hard, and therefore should be softened by holding it before a fire, and speedily fitting it on when soft. It costs only a penny a-foot, and is better for the purpose of covering hives after three years' use than at first. How long it will last, it is impossible to say.

FEEDING STRONG STOCKS (W. E. M.).-Your two strong stocks of bees, being 45 lbs. and 35 lbs. respectively, need no more feeding. The small weak one may be fed occasionally if the weather be cold or rainy.

BEES NOT WORKING IN A SUPER (C. H.).—Leave your super on if your stock is populous. The bees will take to it with greater zeal when the warm weather returns. But if your stock is poor in numbers the large vacant space overhead will tend to refrigerate the hive below. In this case remove the super at once, and replace it only when the bees show signs of inconvenience by crowding the entrance. Very hot weather is coming.

DoG (J. P., Croydon).-Not knowing the breed or size we cannot advise positively. Washing with soft soap, and a dessert-spoonful of flowers of sulphur twice a week would probably cure him.

WHAT IS REPOSE?-No. 1.

HE importance of repose in gardenesque scenery has very frequently been enforced in the pages of the Journal, but I do not think any attempt has been made to explain the meaning of the term in its technical sense. One or two short papers on the subject may therefore prove useful just now, when special attention is being given to the effects of combinations of colour.

When repose is spoken of in connection with natural scenery, or any work of art, it assumes an importance and fulness of meaning of far greater moment than when it is taken in its primary and simple sense of rest. It is true that it implies rest in whatever sense it is taken, and its meaning here might be explained as rest for the eyes; it does, in fact, imply this and very much more delicacy of colouring, tasteful combinations, quietness and softness of tone, the prevalence of harmony in an entire scene, and not simply in part of it; or, in other words, unity of expression, an absence of glare, harsh contrast, or any incongruous feature-in a word, it is that subtle principle pervading every object of beauty, the influence of which is felt often insensibly it may be-by everyone possessing a cultivated and refined taste. Experience proves that a mere statement of general principles, however plain or truthful it may be, is of very little use alone, and in proceeding to explain the application of those principles in actual practice, I will take one of numerous examples of badly-arranged flower beds by

way of illustration."

"K. S." has in his garden a little square-shaped plot of ground, surrounded by a walk, and enclosed on three sides by a building and walls, being just one of those snug little nooks which in skilful hands contribute so materially to render a garden interesting as well as beautiful. It was proposed to fill this bed with a number of small diamond-shaped masses of scarlet, blue, and pink, marking the outlines of the diamonds with grey. Now, had this arrangement been followed it would have resulted in such an effect as has no counterpart in nature a gigantic gaudy chessboard, a harlequin's dress, a flock of sheep each with its wool dyed of a different hue to its fellows, are the most suitable comparisons that occur So much subdivision would be quite certain to prove unsatisfactory; vainly would the eye wander over the chequered surface in search of any pleasant spot whereon to rest, the monotonous repetition would utterly preclude such enjoyment; a passing glance would be about all the notice it would ever receive. There must be a certain breadth or expanse, as well as harmonious blending in colour combinations, and the error in this instance was probably owing to ignorance of this important fact. Such a large bed, having only a narrow Box edging between it and the walk, requires greater care in the arrangement of the plants than if it were surrounded by a broad belt of turf, because the turf, besides forming an admirable foil to the brightest masses of colour, con

to one.

No. 686.-VOL. XXVI., NEW SERIES.

tributes so materially to impart an air of repose. It must, however, never be forgotten that the turf only constitutes be tastefully blended in order to render the combination the framework of the picture, and that the colours must really enjoyable-that is to say, repose must prevail in the bed itself as well as in its surroundings. Let it not be supposed that I would advocate a tame insipid style of colouring, far from it. Fill such a bed as I have described with a bold central mass of deep rich scarlet, surrounded by a broad band of soft grey; then bring around another equally broad band of deep blue, repeating the grey in a narrower outside belt, and the effect would be bright and sparkling, and yet not lack repose; or plant the entire bed with that glorious Clematis Jackmanni, leaving space only for a broad enclosing band of Mesembryanthemum cordifolium variegatum, and you have an effect of unsurpassed richness and beauty, still with a just measure of repose. It is impossible for anyone not having seen such a bed of this Clematis to form any conception of its rare loveliness when managed thus. the grey-leaved Centaurea Clementei for the centre, with Another beautiful arrangement might be made by taking the deep pink Geranium Amaranth surrounding it, and a deep purple Heliotrope outside. Then, too, we might broad band of embroidery, formed of Sedums, Echeverias, venture upon a more intricate style by introducing a Sempervivums, Saxifragas, with Alternantheras, Golden Pyrethrum, or the new Golden Stellaria, and Santolinas around a central mass of one colour, such as a soft rose or pink Geranium; or if it were desirable to somewhat scroll may very easily be interwoven upon a groundwork break up the centre, by way of variety a clearly-defined

of another colour.

These few examples will, I think, be sufficient to show that a plane surface, whatever may be its outline, affords full scope for the formation of an almost endless variety of such combinations, which will generally prove successful if one colour predominates-not in insignificant patches, but in a broad mass, sufficiently to impart its peculiar tone to the entire bed. It may be well to add a word of caution to beginners, and that is never to indulge in what may be termed a speculative style of colouring. For instance, do not suppose, because a large mass of purple Clematis looks well in a somewhat confined space, that so much of any bolder colour would be admissible. I allude to this because it is just the point where failures We have only to remedy this error, striving for an interesting rather than a striking effect, and we shall, I doubt not, have the gratification of seeing more than a passing glance bestowed upon that which has cost us so much care and labour.-EDWARD LUCKHURST.

so often occur.

OMPHALODES VERNA CULTURE.

THE frequent inquiries about this plant induce me to make a few remarks respecting it; and I am the more inclined to do so because I delight to find that those who are fond of flowers begin to learn that numbers of oldfashioned plants possess many good qualities, and if

No. 1888.-VOL. LI., OLD SERIES.

among these there are those wanting in the glowing colours of the new ones, the majority are equal to, if they do not excel, the latter in innocence and beauty. Omphalodes verna, or Venus's Navelwort, has been introduced into this country over two hundred years, and is one of those lovely flowers which, if seen in perfection, is not easily forgotten. It is a hardy herbaceous perennial; its leaves resemble those of the Violet in shape, but I think have a rougher surface, and are larger. Its flowers resemble those of a Forget-me-not, but are of a much brighter colour; they are produced in loose spikes just above the light green foliage during March and April. The whole plant when in flower does not exceed 6 inches in height, and is therefore easily overgrown by other more vigorous plants, which may account for its dwindling almost out of existence in many places where there was once a good stock. Such, I may say, was the case at this place (Vinters), but I found one small plant with a flower on it twelve months ago nestled in between two rocks nearly overgrown with Ivy, and where the crumbling dust from the rocks appeared to be the only means by which it existed. A little light earth scattered round it induced it to root more freely, and after it had done flowering the foliage grew vigorously; it ripened-off eight buds or crowns, and these were divided and planted on the shady side of a wall on a dry bank, and afterwards transferred to the rockery, which I consider is the plant's most appropriate place. There it has flowered well, and in due time I shall divide the plants again, and continue in this way until I obtain a good stock.

The plant delights in partial shade and a light well-drained or shallow soil, such as leaf mould and loam. When placed in the recesses of rockwork, take care that the rain do not wash any of the earth from its roots; nor must we allow the roots of other plants to penetrate that particular spot, though the branches may overhang a little, but not so much as to obstruct the light if they do the sun. The plant will also thrive under the shade of trees and shrubs provided the soil is light and dry. I have heard of its being used for springgarden beds, and should like to learn from those who have tried it how it answers.-THOMAS RECOrd.

AURICULA CULTURE.

DURING the last ten years I have read with great pleasure the articles on this flower in THE JOURNAL OF HORTICULTURE by "D., Deal." I have turned over the old volumes, and read and re-read them; they contain a fund of practical information of the utmost value to the cultivator. Equally welcome have been the lucid articles by the Rev. F. D. Horner. His report of the National Auricula Show at Manchester last year was of great value, as he gave the names of the best flowers in the different classes, so that growers know what to purchase. I have been anxiously looking for his promised report for this

season.

Not only the Auricula, but many more of the beautiful and interesting old florists' flowers are still sadly neglected. It will always be necessary to grow bedding" plants; but if a little of the attention which is at present bestowed on Zonals, shrubby Calceolarias, &c, were devoted to Auriculas, Picotees, Carnations, and Pinks, it would be much more satisfactory to all concerned. When the large horticultural societies can see their way to offer adequate prizes for them they will be exhibited, and the horticultural public will then have an opportunity to see them. The National Auricula Society is bringing the Auricula to the front in the midland counties; and in the neighbourhood of London the Metropolitan Society, of which the Rev. H. H. Dombrain is the Honorary Secretary, offers small prizes at the London shows. Of course, if more exhibitors would come forward better prizes would be offered, and the interest would be much increased. It is certain that one of the best ways to make flowers popular is to bring them forward at the exhibitions, so that a great number of persons, who would not be able to do so if they were not exhibited, may have an opportunity of seeing them.

Others do not take to the Auricula because they believe it is a difficult plant to manage, but such is not the case; any intelligent gardener who can grow other plants well can grow this, and it would be much better to follow the dictates of common sense than it would be to conform to the directions handed down to us by the old florists. No one knowing anything of the physiology of plants would use a compost like the following, recommended by Emmerton :-" Three barrowfuls of goose dung steeped in blood from the butcher's, three barrowfuls

of sugar-bakers' scum, two barrowfuls of fine yellow loam," or the following:-"Two barrowfuls of goose dung steeped in blood, two barrowfuls of scum, two barrowfuls of night soil, and two of yellow loam." Pot any plant, even the grossest feeder, in a compost of which three-fourths are the richest manure, and one-fourth loam, I am perfectly satisfied that it would not do nearly so well as it would if the component parts were reversed-viz., the three parts loam and the one part manure. Such treatment reminds one of Falstaff's account at the Boar's Head Tavern, Eastcheap, where the items were—a capon, 28. 2d.; sauce, 4d.; sack two gallons, 5s. 8d.; sack after supper, 2s. 6d. ; bread, a halfpenny. Emmerton also says that the compost he recommends "gives life and vigour to the plants, as much as fine old port or rich Madeira wine does to the human constitution." Modern scientific research has conclusively proved that both statements are fallacious. The human constitution is better treated with water than wine, and Auriculas thrive better when the compost is good loam with the addition of a little rotted manure, than when the compost is strong manure with the addition of a little loam. We know more about the culture of plants than the growers of fifty years ago did, and if we did "go in " for Auriculas, we would in the course of a few years show what could be done with these fine old flowers.

Perhaps the greatest hindrance to their culture is the difficulty of obtaining the best sorts. I have tried north and south for sorts that were not uncommon a quarter of a century ago, but they cannot be obtained now for "love nor money." Where is there a better white-edged flower than Taylor's Glory, but who can supply plants of it? I cannot get it, and yet most of the old growers have plants. John Waterston, Smiling Beauty, and Catherina are classed as white edges, but none of them are so pure as Glory. The Green-edged sorts are also very scarce. Booth's Freedom, Page's Champion, Col. Taylor, and Star of Bethlehem: who has those for sale? Grey-edged sorts and Selfs are more common. Amongst the Greys, "D., Deal," places George Lightbody at the head of the list. It is doubtless the best from a florist's point of view, but there are other things to be considered, such as freedom of growth and effect either on the home stage or for exhibition. Col. Champneys (Turner), is, I believe, the freest and most effective Auricula we have. The ground colour runs into the edge a little, but no one would know that this was a fault unless some old florist were to tell him so. We have another type in Sims's Vulcan, a dark Self. It is not a florist's flower because it is fringed, but Mr. Dombrain showed it with a beautiful truss at the Royal Botanic Society's Show, and I think that the prettilyfringed edge added to its beauty. With it was Pizarro, a very beautiful smooth-edged Self, probably the best in the exhibition. This was also charming in its way, and one did not seem to wish to see it with a fringed edge. The Alpines have been much praised; they are easily grown and are brilliant, but there is a greater sameness amongst them than there is amongst the Selfs. There is nothing amongst the Alpines at all equal to such flowers as Blackbird, C. J. Perry, Lord Clyde, Master Hole, Mrs. Sturrock, and Spalding's Metropolitan. As to culture, I use turfy loam with a little leaf mould and rotted cow or stable manure added to it. River sand is also necessary to keep the compost open. The Auricula is also very impatient of sunshine, either in or out of flower. An hour's exposure to direct sunshine in a hot day about the end of April would spoil their beauty. As soon as they are in flower it is best to remove the frames with the plants to a wall facing north; and here also the plants should remain until early in October. The best growers recommend May as the most suitable time to pot the plants. I have potted our little collection, using smaller pots than are usually recommended. I found that some weakly plants were overpotted last year, and did not succeed so well as those that were in smaller pots. Perfect drainage I hold to be indispensable; some rough material should be placed over the potsherds to prevent the soil from mixing with them.

As respects the varieties to cultivate, from what has been exhibited during the past season and what I have seen in our own collection, the best are:

Green-edged.-Admiral Napier, Alderman Wisbey, Apollo (Hudson), Duke of Wellington (Dickson), Imperator (Litton), Mayflower (Traill), Lovely Ann (Oliver).

Grey-edged.--Britannia (Smith), Alderman C. Brown (Headly), Colonel Champneys (Turner), Competitor (Turner), Conqueror of Europe (Waterhouse), George Lightbody (Headly), Mary Ann (Fletcher), Matilda (Dickson), Ne Plus Ultra (Fletcher),