The community of the bees is the first, the greatest and best example in nature, of a perfect community. In their harmony and good order, mutual enterprise, and efforts to promote the general good, in their ardor of pursuit in quest of stores to load their legs, back and wings, and flit away to the store-house of common deposit; and in their mutual aid in assist ing each other to unload their burdens, together with their wise economy in feeding out of the common stock. The community of the bee is not a republic, but a brotherhood; a monarchy with a community of goods, and governed by a queen.The queen is not the tyrant of the swarm, but the mother of the swarm. She is not the dispenser of laws to the swarm, but the subject of the same fixed and immutable laws of nature, which govern every bee in the swarm. The bees know each other, and are armed wieh a sting for common defence. They know their keepers, and generally respect them.They possess natural disgusts, which have not yet been fully accounted for, and attack and sting the objects of this disgust wherever they meet them, invariably. The bee is very sagacious in judging of the weather, and avoids the storm by retiring to her hive, or sheltering herself under the foliage of plants and trees. The whole swarm manifests an affectionate vades the community, and no dead bee is suffered to remain in the hive. The particular laws of instinct begin to govern the bee as soon as it quits its nymphal state, and is capable of action; and one uniform system of order regulates his movements, in union with the whole swarm, throughout all their instinctive operations. As well might the wise man have said, "Go to the Bee, thou sluggard; consider her ways and be wise." W. H. MORRISON. TROY, WIS. AGE OF BEES.-Many people say bees only live six months; now I have two hives, to each of which I introduced a Ligurian queen, by fumigating them in July, 1860. In October, I bought a swarm that had been already fumigated, to take the honey; I fumigated it to take the queen away, and then added to it one of my Ligurian queens to strengthen her. Now, this is the 16th of September, and there is not only a large number of English bees in the Ligurian swarms, but also a great number in the old stocks, the Ligurians having swarmed -one twice, and the other (that from which I took the Ligurian queen to add to an English stock) three times. Now there is a large quantity of bees alive that must be more than a year old; and not only are they that age, but many of them have been fumigated twice. I am not clever enough with bees to take the queen away without fumigation, I generally use it, and have found, when carefully done, very little loss, and after a day or so the bees seem to have quite recovered.-London Field. As I once, in searching for a young queen, placed the frame on which she was too near the next frame and not in the position I found it. The queen at the time had her head in a cell. The comb at that point projected a great deal. Two days after this, I searched again for the queen, to show her to a friend, I found her in the position in which I last saw her, attention to the queen mother, unexampled in eat." The first is perfectly conformable to the principles of humanity, and common sense; the latter is repugnant to both. A general, as well as a particular system of cleanliness, per Colonies infested with worms are often seen carrying out imperfect and mutilated bees.E. P., in American Bee Journal. NOVEL EXPERIENCE.-A young man named Hunter, living some six miles east of Polk City, on the prairie, where trees and fences were wanting, was the other day placed in a rather trying position. A large swarm of bees seeking a resting place, settled upon his person, completely covering his legs and body. In this condition he walked to the house, some 100 rods distant, where, obtaining a box, the bees were successfully hived, without injuring him.-Des Moines Journal. Look to the Apiary---January. Hives that are to remain out doors during the severe weather of this month, should be well ventilated, or they will smother; notice them occasionally to see that the air passages are not closed by dead bees, frost or ice.Whenever the weather moderates, turn back the hive, and clean the floor thoroughly, as much filth will accumulate. Endeavor to have the hives so situated that the sun will strike them during the middle of the day. If guarded from mice, no trouble need be taken to shovel them out when they happen to get buried in the snow. Those that are in the cellar or house should remain unmolested, unless it is to notice that mice or rats gain no access; small pieces of comb are sure indications of their presence. Keep the air pure and sweet by scattering airslaked lime upon the floor. W. H. MORRISON. lay it on gently but plentifully, and if there is no snow on the ground, all the more. Cover the strawberry beds lightly; they are all right now, but may kill out in March or April, without some shading. Grape vines can still be pruned; and the first mild weather should be improved to prune, and cover them with litter when thrown on the ground. Cuttings and scions can not well be made now, but do it in mild weather; do not cut when frozen. excellent If you have trees or shrubs of any description which are tender, and not easily covered with mulch, bind long straw around the trunks, wind with old cloths, mats, or even paper. An way to treat tender, long bodied trees, is, to tack two strips of lath or boards together in the form of a trough, and bind against the sunny side of the trunk; or, in other words, make a north side all around, by shading the sunny side. Trees on the north side of a fence, building, grove or hill, generally escape injury, while those upon the sunny side suffer severely, from the great changes of atmosphere to which they are subject in the latter part of winter. Protection from rabbits is secured in several ways: First, by binding with straw, &c., as mentioned above. Another very simple and Orchard and Fruit Garden.---Winter Protection. As much as we said in the last volume on this subject, we wish still to urge upon the attention of gardeners and fruit growers the neces-efficient way, is to bind three or four cornsity of protection to half hardy, and even hardy trees and plants from the extremes and sudden changes of the weather during the winter, and especially after the first days of January. But little damage is done before this time, as the oblique rays of the sun have little effect upon the dormant vegetation. We must say, that in all our experience in the West, we have never before seen the wood of trees and plants go into winter quarters so well ripened, and so full of constitutional vigor. But when the bright suns of February and March shall come, there will be some suffering, unless we have an unusual amount of snow and uniform weather. To prepare for the worst is policy. Begin by thoroughly mulching with straw manure, or litter, the door-yard shrubs and garden fruits; stalks round the trunk, at the ground. Another antidote for their tree-loving appetites, is to thoroughly rub a dead rabit upon the trunk, one animal being found sufficient for a number of trees. This was recommended to us by a friend who had faithfully tried it for two years, in a locality terribly infested with rabbits and mice, and he assured us that it was efficient. Further, we know nothing, but would commend it to trial by persecuted fruit growers. We have noticed that rabbits are partial to pears, and some other varieties of vigorous, soft wooded trees. These should be looked to first. Rabbits, as well as mice, are not commonly fond of tobacco; an occasional wash with a strong decoction will prevent their depredations. Do not use any sort of grease, or tar, Valuable Contributions Promised. We deem ourselves fortunate in having been able to engage the services of A. G. HANFORD, Esq., late of Waukesha, and so favorably known to our readers and to all fruit-growers in the West, as a corresponding Editor of the Horticultural department of the FARMER. His contributions are always reliable and of a great value, and the readers of the FARMER will be glad to learn that his removal from the State has not deprived them of his instructions and suggestions. The following letter announces his assent to propositions made: DR. J. W. HOYT, Dear Sir:-In reply to your request, I would say that you may give your readers to expect a monthly article from me according as time and circumstances will permit. It is true, I have had much observation in the Northwest, and a good deal of dear-bought experience. The lessons thus acquired, I would most cheerfully give to others. Winter Pears. Everybody is familliar with the old cooking varieties of winter pears, "the Pound," or "Winter Bell," and "Black Worcester." Many suppose all winter pears are of the same char acter. There are quite a number of long keeping, fine dessert sorts, which only need to be known to become popular. There is no mystery or peculiar skill required to manage and ripen them; they should be suffered to hang upon the trees as long as they are safe from frost. Pick carefully, so as not to break the stems or bruise the fruit; place in tight boxes or barrels, and keep in a dry, cool cellar, until the usual season of ripening. Remove in such quantities as may from time to time be desired, to a warm room, a few days before wanted for use. It may be observed that no fruit shows the effect of culture more plainly than the pear. There is as much difference in the ripening and quality between the well grown fruit of a properly cultivated tree and that of another left to starvation and neglect, though of the same variety, as is observable in any garden vegetables subjected to similar treatment. Brief descriptions of a few varieties may interest your readers. Beurre d'Aremberg.-Fruit, medium to large, obovate, skin thick, yellow with light russet, flesh white, buttery, melting, juicy; flavor, rich, sprightly vinous. Tree, a good grower, very productive, requires high culture, ripens in November and December. Glout Morceau.-Fruit, large obtuse pyraform, skin smooth greenish yellow, with many greenish specks, flesh white, fine grained, melt flavor. Tree, a thrifty, fine grower and good bearer, suited to strong soil and high culture, succeeds admirably upon the quince. Season, November to January. Wisconsin is already indebted to Ohio for many of her hardiest trees and finest orchards. I find growing here some other excellent varie-ing and buttery, with an agreeable sweet rich ties of apples which are unknown with you. Then too we have in cultivation a large list of ornamental trees, shrubs and flowering plants, some of which will be new to the readers of the FARMER. Notices of these will be given from time to time, with general hints on planting, care and culture. Very truly yours, A. G. HANFORD. COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 16th, 1861. Vicar of Winkfield.—Fruit, large, long pyriform, showy and handsome, skin smooth, pale yellow, sometimes with a brownish cheek.Flesh white, juicy, with a sprightly flavor. This is a fine cooking, and often, though not always, a good dessert fruit. Tree vigorous on both pear and quince, hardy and exceedingly productive. blossom buds seem a little tender, and in the north, after several winters, the crop often fails. Elsewhere it is regarded as a profitable market variety. Our trees at Waukesha yielded a moderate crop in 1860, and a heavy one the past season, which is now ripening, and are unusually fine. November to January. Lawrence.—Fruit rather large, long obovate, yellowish green, flesh yellowish white, juicy, melting, rich, sugary, excellent. Tree, moderate grower, shoots rather slender, very productive, does finely on either pear or quince.November to January. Passe Colmar.-Fruit, large obovate, to obtuse pyriform, pale yellowish white, juicy and buttery, sweet, rich, aromatic. Tree vigorous, making long straggling shoots, inclined to overbear. Fruit should be thinned, and the tree receive high culture. Succeeds well on quince. November to January. Winter Nelis.-Fruit, medium round obovate, yellowish green when ripe, with much russet; flesh yellowish white, fine grained, melting and juicy, rich, sugary and aromatic. One of the best of winter pears. Tree thrifty, shoots slender, straggling; an early, good and regular bearer. Should always be grown as a standard, as it does not succeed on the quince. December to January. COLUMBUS, Dec. 16, 1861. A. G. HANFOrd. The Borer and the Sapsucker. MR. EDITOR-I observed in the April No. of 1861 a new mode of saving trees from the ravages of the borer. All information relative to Illinois State Horticultural Society. Being a self-constituted committee from Wisconsin to report the good deeds of the Illinois Fruit men in council, in Chicago, Dec. 3d to 6th inclusive, it is with pleasure we accept your request to publish our short and simple "say" in the Farmer. The attendance at the above named meeting was good, and we should think fully equal to any of the preceding annual meetings. Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin, were represented in the council by one from the two former, two from the second, and six or more from your own State. Those from abroad were principally hearers, while those of Illinois were doers of the work and word in the good cause they so nobly represent. A whole souled set of men they are too; ever willing to "impart what little they know" of any value to the brotherhood, and in spite of their invaluation of their knowledge, much valuable thought did escape from their "craneums;" which, like the silent drippings of the sanctuary, is destined to do good-sometime. We wished that every orchadist (as well as those who would be) in Wisconsin were there to hear of the troubles and discouragements of the fruit growers, even far towards the Sunny South. I would say to one and all who think this is "not a Fruit State," that we are far ahead of Northern and Central Illi nois in point of soil, aspects and protection. It was the universal opinion that the last named was absolutely necessary to many fruits in winter, especially grapes and peaches.— Pears, particularly the dwarfs, and cherries were much benefitted thereby, and apples, with all the rest, would thankfully receive a thorough mulching winter and summer. The Grape discussions were full of interest. Delaware, Concord, and Diana, were lauded the destruction of that pest, ought to be gratefully received by every orchardist. Having discovered the borer in some of my apple trees the past summer, and having tried the probing system, and all remedies suggested, without any apparent effect I tried the following, most. by way of experiment, which I believe has proved effectual: I took with me to the orchard a pipe and tobacco, lit the pipe, and then put the stem into a hole I had previously bored with a half inch auger, and then blowing into the bowl of the pipe forced the smoke into the hole made by the borer, and I have not seen anything of the borer since. J. ROBERTS. RIDGEWAY, Nov. 26, 1861. A fact was brought out in regard to the growth of the Delaware of much value, viz.: That while the young plant brought here from another climate is universally of slow growth, frequently hard to make live at all,-these same plants, layered, as soon as new growth is made sufficiently, (which requires but two or three eyes) and you have a plant full of vigor, adapted to the Western soil, climate, and hardships a plant which will grow with almost any known sort, while the parent plant, with equal care and soil, too often "grows beautifully less." Concords were admired by all for quality, hardiness and fine appearance of fruit. Diana not so thoroughly tested, but met with much praise. Deep and thorough cultivation was deemed indispensable, trenching to an equal amount in depth in the sub-soil with the surface soil, and mixing all together thoroughly. In this mixture grape cuttings rooted well and vines withstood the drouth, and more than all, the roots would get down more effectually out of the way of the frost, and hence winter better. Too heavy fruiting is often allowed. By thinning the fruit and leaving all the vine growth beyond the fruit, will hasten the ripening process several days. Strawberries had a severe handling, but they all came out none the worse for it, while a few had their garments cleansed and their colors brightened. Wilson's Albany, "the berry for the people," is getting a little sour-else some of the strawberry growers had their teeth set on edge by some still worse-and now have no hope of a "smooth run" on any thing short of the Triomphe de Grande. Many efforts were made to displace the Wilson from the general list, but to no avail; it is yet the plant for the masses-a large, abundant bearer, tenacious of life, and does well everywhere. Evidently somebody's pockets needed a new hobby to ride on. Wilson is too common-not much sale. Hooker was thought best for amateurs, and all who would serve for it; rather a shy bearer, but fruit of super-excellent quality. Triomphe de Grande, and many other foreign sorts, were strongly urged, but most of the Society proved "know-nothings" with foreigners (strawber ries). Milwaukee, made the best display of pears, and it was a display, well worth the name; the grandest specimens the wr jedT ever saw for the number, nearly twenty, (add he thinks he has seen the sights). Plumb, Willey & Co., Vine Hill Nursery, showed twenty-five sorts of apples, and Dr. Hoy, of Racine, apples and pears, which made up all from out of Illinois. The address of welcome from C. D. Bragdon, President of Chicago Gardner's Society, and the President's Inaugural and Valedictory combined, were things of interest in the first day's history, and will be of interest to read hereafter. Dr. Hoy delivered an address the second evening on "sap-suckers" and other insects injurious to fruit trees, well worth a Ice in every orchardists library, and then to be studied, too. Then last if not least in the programme was the entertainment by the Messrs. Gage Brothers of the Tremont, who, with their usual generosity, invited the Illinois State Horticultural Society to their repast on Friday. Though many members had gone home, and our numbers were much reduced, still about The bill of forty-five accepted the invitation. fare was all that could be wished, and the wine, pure Catawba from several vintages, was certainly "not bad to take." Several toasts were drank and responded to by Messrs. M. L. Dunlap, Chase, Bragdon, Menere, and others. The whole thing passed off in good style, and much to the satisfaction of all concerned. 0. S. WILLEY. How to Destroy Bark Lice. I will give you a better receipt than coal tar for Bark Lice: Burn roll sulphur with old scraps of leather, under the trees to be treated, in a pan, moving it about so as to smoke thoroughly every twig affected. I have tried this when all else failed, and found it effectual. It is done to the best Dwarf Pears.-Plant so that the union comes below the ground. If budded too high so as to necessitate planting the roots too deep, re-advantage when the leaves begin to start; for move the lower portion of them; cut back, then these pests are most lively, and most easiand mulch thoroughly. ly killed. The show of fruit was fine; Col. Crocker, of BURNETT STATION. N. F. THOMAS. |