ripe gooseberries. But we had plenty of Sparrows about, and on the 3rd of August I saw the Sparrows on the gooseberry bushes. We had some Sparrows' nests (a second brood), and the old Sparrows fed them with caterpillars from the bushes before mentioned. I had the pleasure of seeing the parent birds move from the bushes to the nest eight times in nine minutes, each time with caterpillars in their beaks, and four times from the nest with the excrements of the young birds. On the 8th of August a caterpillar was not visible on the bushes, and there have been none on them since. Surely the caterpillars live more than eight days! What became of them then? I saw the Sparrows eat them, and heard the young chirp out loudly in anticipation of the expected food-caterpillars.

I once saw a Sparrow shot that had a cabbage-caterpillar in its mouth. Surely the Sparrow did not pick it up to play with, the same as a young cat does with a mouse.

That Sparrows eat peas and the buds of trees I admit; but this year caterpillars, grubs, &c., have been so abundant as not to induce them to eat our peas, pick our seeds out of the soil, or eat the few cherries we had.

The Sparrows scratch holes in our sandy walks-I have counted 100 of these holes-devour the seeds of various grasses, of Poa annua especially, and they like a little corn, &c., when they can catch it."

I could say more, but enough. Sparrows are of real service to man, and I am also able to defend the toad, hedgehog, Thrush, Blackbird, &c., which some people destroy wantonly, and, I am sorry to add, cruelly, wholly and solely because they have seen them eat something they ought not (in their estimation), but in reality because their natural food fails them, and they are compelled to consume a substitute.

Sea-gulls destroy snails and slugs, and earthworms also. This year 24,000 slugs were destroyed in our garden, and then, in June, we procured two young Sea-gulls, fed them on fish until they were able to find food for themselves, and they now keep snails, slugs, and worms completely under subjection. One wing of each was taken off at the first joint. The Gulls require plenty of water in a cistern, for they like to bathe.

We have also eight or nine hedgehogs, about twenty toads under glass, Blackbirds, Thrushes, and Sparrows without number, in a garden within three-quarters of a mile from the centre of a manufacturing town having a population over 100,000. I cannot (nor can any person else), see what injury they do in it or to the contents of the garden.-GEORGE ABBEY.

YOUNG BEES EXPELLED FROM HIVES. It is one of the pleasant est sights to the apiarian to witness during the first burst of sunshine after ungenial weather the gambols of a flight of young bees, and one of the most painful to watch these issue slowly, crawling along the landing-board, sniff the uncongenial atmosphere of this cold world, wheel about to return to their snug domicile, this proceeding stoutly resisted by their elder brethren, which summarily throw them over the board, and hurry back to re-issue in pairs shortly, dragging between them a poor resisting youngster to augment the increasing heap of outcasts beneath, to the no small delight of a host of wolfish wasps there banqueting. This time last year this anomalous proceeding first attracted my attention, taking place at the entrance of my best-stored hive. I subsequently sought your opinion amongst other difficulties about "Bee feeding and its Effects," in No. 634. That hive from being the best, even after throwing a couple of swarms last season, dwindled down to be the lightest, poorest, and most deficient in population this summer, and never swarmed. Beginning of this week I was chagrined to find the same work carried on extensively from a hive containing upwards of 20 lbs. of honey, and plenty of bees. It threw two swarms this season. Also to a lesser extent from a couple more hives; although clouds of fine young bees have issued from all my other hives at every wink of that fearfully watery Saint-Swithin. I send along with this, for your inspection, a dozen of the expelled bees. Your guess in reply to my former query was to a considerable extent quite corre t as to their being "imperfectly developed," as on a more careful scrutiny this season, judging from their smaller size, paler colour, and feebleness, they must have issued prematurely and were there fore exp: lled; and I now wish, if not considered too troublesome, you could enlighten me as to the cause and cure. Fearing, although the hive was well stored, the "commissioners

of supply" might be under-estimating their "ways and means," I, therefore, added largely to the "rest" fund by copious feeding without one whit lessening the evil. Can blame be attachable to the queen, as in both extreme cases, last and this season, she was young? or can the long continuance of bad weather we have been visited with both seasons in any measure account for it, either by there being (although plenty of honey) a short supply of pollen so requisite to bring them to perfection, or by the bees being confined too much within the hive? the uniform closeness, perhaps, causing the young brood to issue before being properly matured, and their seniors, thinking such weaklings poor fellow-workers, at once pitch them overboard. Your advice would oblige-A PERPLEXED YOUNG BEEKEEPER.

[The bees accompanying your letter were so crushed during their transmission by post, as to preclude the possibility of making a satisfactory examination. We could, however, perceive that most, if not all, of them had defective wings, which sufficiently accounts for their expulsion. The only instance which we have known of young bees being expelled in so great numbers as to affect the prosperity of a colony occurred in July, 1859, when the combs of a hive collapsed, and its inhabitants perished from confinement during very hot weather. The combs being filled with brood were replaced, and the hive restocked immediately; but all the young bees were turned out to perish as fast as they came to maturity, owing to their wings remaining undeveloped. We believe that this effect was produced by the excessive heat to which the brood had been exposed, and fancy it may throw some light on the cause of your misfortune. During the reign (or rain) of St. Swithin, your juveniles appear to have been all right; but soon after hot weather set in, an issue of imperfect bees commenced. We are not at all sure that this hypothesis may be correct, but think it would be worth while to try the effect of shading the hives, and keeping them as cool as possible. We shall be glad to know the result.]

BEES IN SUGAR REFINERIES.

IN a recent Number I noticed a quotation from the Entomological Gazette of Stettin, regarding the above subject; and in case any of your readers, located in the neighbourhood of a refinery, be tempted to follow in the footsteps of the farmers on the banks of the Oder, and start bee-keeping, or increase their stocks ten or twentyfold as they did, trusting to employ their industrious little servants, not in the laudable calling of carrying home the rich nectar from the too-fast fading flowers, but enlist them in the disreputable proceeding of pilfering from the refinery, may mention in the neighbouring town of Greenock, I presume the largest seat of this manufacture in the kingdom, possessing no fewer than fourteen large works of this description. The beekeepers in the suburbs nearest the refineries ascribe their want of success, as contrasted with their brethren at the other extremity, solely to their greater proximity to these works, and look on them more in the light of "bee-traps" than anything else. On mild days early or late in the season when honey is scarce, their little favourites, thirsting for employment, wing their way they say to the refineries, attracted by the saccharine odours, hover about, gain an entrance at the first open door, and stick fast in the treacle or molasses never to return, or should they be more fortunate in getting a load, lose their way out in the labyrinth of the work, fly to the lights of one of the nearest closed windows, and perish in the spiders' webs that usually adorn them. It was only within the last month, that a venerable "blue apron" between eighty and ninety, told me his bees were doing him no good in late years since these "confounded sugar-houses" had been set up beside him.-A RENFREWSHIRE BEE-KEEPER.

[Our correspondent is undoubtedly right in his conclusions. Sugar refineries are far more likely to be slaughter-houses than feeding-places for bees.]

BEES IN FRANCE.-Accounts from Montpellier states that the present year will be one of the most remarkable as regards the production of bees. In some hives there have been already from two to three swarms; and it is expected that the yield in honey and wax will be so large as to compensate in some measure for the deficient crops in the Gironde and the Landes.—(Paris Correspondent of the Times.)

BEES IN OBSERVATORY-HIVES.

A CORRESPONDENT in a former Number wishes to know if bees will live through the winter in observatory-hives. I have one of Tegetmeier's, four panes on each side, or twelve altogether, and with a thermometer; but the winter before last the bees all died in it, and a wooden-bar-frame hive; but, last autumn, I got four boards, lined with cloth, put all round the observatory, and a horse-cloth round the wooden one, and the bees did well in the observatory, but not so well in the wooden one; and I find there is a great deal of condensation in both which is bad, and would be better got rid of if one could. This last winter I discovered the cause of death the winter before, which was from several of the bees lying or hanging near the mouth, and the cold killing them, and thus stopping up the entrance, thereby causing suffocation: it is, therefore, necessary to have a piece of wire turned a little, and occasionally going and pulling out the dead bees; but care must be taken not to disturb those alive and pull them out also. I intend to keep the bees in the observatory-hive this winter, having added a Ligurian swarm to it.A. W.

new

EARLY FEEDING REQUIRED FOR BEES. I PURCHASED two skeps of bees on the 12th of July, they were swarms of this season, and at the time I bought them weighed about 28 lbs. each. Soon after I had them I placed on the top of each an empty straw skep, thinking that as the hives were getting full the bees would then work into the top one; but in that I have been disappointed; and, during the last week or two not having seen many bees moving about, I this morning lifted one of them up, and was surprised to find it weigh so lightly. On looking into the hive I find that the bees have eaten nearly all the honey. Such being the case I shall feel obliged if you can tell me of any remedy, and if there is any likelihood of my keeping them alive through the winter.—T. C. M. [Feeding must be at once resorted to. Lump sugar and water, in the proportions of three parts of sugar to two parts water (by weight), and boiled a minute or two, will do. The best mode of administering it is by means of an inverted bottle the mouth of which should be tied over with a bit of cap-net, and inserted through an opening in the top of the hive. This must be refilled as often as it is emptied, until the contents of the hive reach 20 lbs. If both colonies are treated in this manner, there is every probability of their surviving the winter.]

HOW TO STRAIN HONEY.

Box honey, and honey free from bee-bread, I put into a tin pan, or other vessel, and place it on a stove, or over the fire, and gradually melt the comb. This will rise on the top, and when cool I take the wax off. If the honey is badly candied, I add a very little water when I put the comb in. Water may be added sufficient to make the honey as limpid as desirable.

If the comb has bee-bread in it, I tie the comb up in a cloth, or put it in a bag, and hang it near the fire, so as to melt it, and let the honey drip out. Care should be taken not to squeeze or stir it, as that would cause the bee-bread to mix too much with the honey. If the honey is badly candied, after I have dripped out all I can, I add a little water, and melt as in the first instance, and filter the honey after the comb is removed.

Should there be much sediment and bee-bread, the whole may be clarified by adding about a teaspoonful of saleratus, to a gallon of honey, after the comb is removed, and bring it to a boiling heat. The sediment will rise, and may be skimmed off. Milk may be used instead of the saleratus. Water must be added to keep the honey at the consistency wanted. Bee culture can only be regarded as truly "the poetry of rural economy" when it is prosecuted not merely as a source of pecuniary profit, but also as a perennial fountain of intellectual enjoyment.-R. C. OTIS, Bellevue, Ohio (in Rural New Yorker.)

[All supers and honey-boxes should be furnished with moveable comb-bars; and, where this is the case the cells only should be sliced off on each side of every comb, leaving their central foundations uninjured, and attached to the bar. These thin combs may be returned to the bees, and if the honey harvest be not over, they will elongate the cells from their rudiments and again fill them with honey. "B. & W." has combs which have been thrice filled this summer. After the honey season is over, these combs should be carefully preserved for future use. When

it is remembered that it has been stated that it takes 20 lbs. of honey to make 1 lb. of wax, the economy of this process becomes evident. It is to the Rev. J. D. Williams, of Farlow, that we are indebted for this valuable hint.-A DEVONSHIRE BEEKEEPER.]

HISTORY OF THE AILANTHUS SILKWORM. It was only towards the middle of the eighteenth century, about 120 years ago, that missionaries mentioned this worm. The Father Incarville was the first person to answer questions often before asked by naturalists. In 1773, the name of Bombyx cynthia was given to the parent moth by the famous entomologist Drury, in his illustrations of natural history.

The eggs of the Bombyx cynthia are twice as large as those of the common silkworm, and the females lay about one-half the quantity. The eggs are hatched in about eight days after they are four times before they begin to spin; the fourth time they be laid. These worms, like many other species, change their skin come of an emerald green, and the extremities of the tubercles are turquoise blue; they are from sixty-five to eighty millimetres long.

In weaving their cocoons, these worms differ from the ordinary silkworms, for they make an elastic opening for the advent of the moth. The cocoons of the Ailanthus silkworms are long, and of a grey brownish colour, more or less pale according to the state in which they are cultivated. Till now, these cocoons being open at one end, have only been carded as wool or cotton; but further researches are being made, and, doubtless, will soon show us a method of spinning the silk like the Mulberry silkworm.

The quality of this new textile fabric has been studied and appreciated in France, where, after trying experiments with the castor-oil silkworm, they have arrived at the conclusion that the cocoons of the Ailanthus worms are far more valuable, as they are capable of taking an admirable dye. Monsieur H. Schlumberger, an eminent filateur at Guebroiller, has found the Ailanthus cocoons easy to card and spin. The thread obtained is brilliant, smooth, and supple. The Father Incarville says, "The silk produced by the Ailanthus worms is of a gris de lin, lasts The fabric that is made from it washes like linen.” double the time any other silk does, and does not spot easily.

HOW TO DESTROY WASPS' NESTS.

My method is so simple and efficient that it should be widely known. I give a lad 3d. per nest to destroy it, by taking a small watering-pot, devoted to the purpose, full of coal tar, cold, and pouring it into the hole till it is full. Nothing more is required, and the job is effectually done. The best time at this season is about half-past seven, when the inhabitants are nearly all at home.

Rabbits may be destroyed by coal tar with but little trouble. Some litter should be taken to the holes and thoroughly saturated with the tar, and then thrust firmly into the mouth of each hole, pouring some over the litter after it is placed in its proper position, and banking up each hole with earth. Rats in banks may also be made very unhappy if coal tar is poured into their holes as soon as they are made, and into the mouths of all the old burrows. They are very clean animals, and the chances are that they may hold an "indignation meeting," and quit the locality in disgust.-T. R.

A SAVOURY DISH.-Put one pound of rice into five pints of cold water; boil it gently for two hours, by which time it will be a thick paste; then add two pints of skim milk and two ounces of Cheshire cheese grated fine, a little pepper and salt, and boil the whole very gently for another hour. It will produce nine pounds of maccaroni rice.

OUR LETTER BOX.

POULTRY-HOUSE FLOOR (J. E. W.).-Asphalte or any other hard flooring is bad. Your mixture of cinder ashes and gravel is excellent for the flooring. Never mind the fowls busking in it, for that benefits them, and morning. a close-toothed rake will put all smooth, and remove the dung every

RABBIT-HUTCHES (A Would-be Rabbit Fancier) — Although there is no need for a partitioned-off sleeping place in a buck's hutch, yet there is no objection to such a sleeping enclosure for him. In a hutch under a shed, though this oe open in front, and with good bedding, we do not think that your Rabbits will suffer in ordinary winters, unless you live very far north.

collection was a most deeply interesting one. In those exhibited for the prize (those with safter them are Mr. Standish's own raising), which, of course, they gained, were-Lady Emily Seymour, 8; Mr. Rucker, s, beautiful deep cerise, white throat and cerise feather; Lady Caroline Legge, s, pure white, plum feather; Isaac Anderson, s; Achille, a French sort, lovely deep cherry spotted with carmine, and yellow feather; Lady Wynn, s, striped; Mowbray Morris, s, crimson; Purple Gem, s, white shaded with purple; Lady Mary Hood, s; Amelia, orange scarlet; Caliph, cerise, striped with crimson; Helterii, deep crimson; Miss Graham, s, pure white, with plum feather; Mr. J. W. Lane, s, orange scarlet, yellow throat, scarlet feather; Col. Hood, s, deep scarlet; Pegasus; Prime Minister, deep purple; Madame Leseble, white, with plum feather; Donald Beaton, s, a rather brassy-looking flower, showing as bold and braw a face as the veritable D. B. himself; Mrs. Menzies, s; Mrs. Duffield, s, orange scarlet; and Susan Ingram, s, white, with plum feather. In the other boxes were-Juliet, primrose; Colleen Bawn, s, striped carmine; Rowland Hill, rose, carmine stripe; Brides maid, s, pure white, slight feather; Madame Rabourdin, shaded plum; Goldfinder, nice primrose; Mrs. Hole, described by Mr. Beaton last week, to be figured in the "Florist" for October; Tippoo Saib, s, orange; Towardii, orange salmon; Rose of England, s, brilliant cerise; Rembrandt, scarlet crimson; Mrs. Standish, s, white, with purple feather. Messrs. Paul & Son, of the Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, were second; and Messrs. Minchin and Son, Hook Norton, third.

In Gladiolus in pots there was but one collection contributed by Mr. John Cattell, Westerham: it comprised-Sulphureus, Yollande, Berthe de Rabourdin, La Re de Oude (?), Anna Paulina, Vesta, Napoleon III., Vulcain, &c.

Roses were exhibited, considering all things, in better condition than might have been expected. Mr. Mitchell, of Piltdown Nurseries, sent a fine collection, and was the only nurseryman who exhibited in the Forty-eight class.

The first prize for Twenty-fours, three trusses, amongst ama: teurs, was awarded to the Rev. F. W. Radclyffe, of Rushton, whose success was universally hailed with pleasure; for a more enthusiastic Rose grower, or a more genial and kind-hearted man does not exist. It was to me personally a great pleasure; for I had superintended the cutting of the blooms, had the arrangement of the box, and brought it up with me to London. It was won easily, the second box being a long way behind, and containing eighteen Teas in the twenty-four: it belonged to Mr. Hollingworth, of Caversham. The third was gained by Dr. Cooper, of Slough. Mr. Radclyffe's Roses were-Triomphe de Rennes (three fine corymbs of flowers), Géant des Batailles, Celine Forestier (small blooms), Duchesse de Cambacères, Caroline de Sansal, Mrs. Elliott, Comte de Nauteuil, Duchesse d'Orleans, Orlaine Fontaine (very small, but pretty), Souvenir de la Malmaison, Reveil, Madame Knorr, Léon des Combats (the finest bloom I ever saw of this variety was one of this trio), Jules Margottin (very good), Devoniensis, Souvenir de la Reine de l'Angleterre (fresh and lively), Général Jacqueminot (a grand trio), Solfaterre (very good and full), Magador (damask, nice blooms of a by-no-means-common Rose), Elize Sauvage (small and pale), Duchess of Norfolk (splendid blooms), Gloire de Dijon, and Auguste Mié. The greater portion of these were cut from Roses on Manetti stocks, and nothing can exceed the vigour and beauty of the plants.

In Twenty-four Roses, single blooms, Mr. John Keynes, of Salisbury, was first; and Mr. Laing, of Twickenham, second. In Dahlias, Mr. Keynes, of Salisbury, was first in all these classes with some very fine flowers; his generally successful opponent, Mr. Turner, being quite hors de combat. I have heard of thrips doing injury, but could never believe the devastation it could create till I saw it at Slough-plants of the most vigorous character, with Brobdignagian leaves 1 foot in length and 9 inches in width, with every flower on them rolled or pasted together, and from every bloom hundreds of the little black varmin could be shaken. Every means that an able and ardent cultivator could take were adopted, but all in vain-they got through everything; and so at last Mr. Turner gave it up, took off his shades, and wisely determined not to exhibit any

more.

In the class of Forty-eight blooms, Mr. Keynes' flowers were -Disraeli, Cherub, Colonel Wyndham, Golden Drop, Mentor, Joy, Lord Palmerston, Mauve, Lilac Queen, Sir G. Douglas, Queen (Kimberley), John Keynes, Earl of Shaftesbury, Lord Cardigan, Umpire (a lovely flower), Sidney Herbert, Mrs.

Church, Mrs. Critchett, Hugh Miller, King of Sweden, Lollipop, Mr. Dodds, George Elliott (very fine), Pioneer, Black Prince, Marquis of Bowmont, Mr. Boshell, Oscar, Leopard, Mrs. Trotter, Rosebud, Lady Pennant (seedling), Goldfinder (seedling), Imperial, Rosa, Pandora, Chairman, Commander, Triomphe de Pecq, Jenny Austin, Lady Franklin, Andrew Dodds, Mrs. Balsache (beautiful peach), Juno, Perfection, and Mr. Waters. The second prize was obtained by Mr. John Harrison, of Darlington; third by Mr. May, of Bedale, Yorkshire; and fourth by Mr. Kimberley.

In Twenty-fours Mr. Keynes had a very charming box of Disraeli, Chairman, Lady Pennant, Golden Drop, Andrew Dodds, George Elliott, Sir G. Douglas, Lilac Queen, Perfection, Mrs. Trotter, Lady Franklin, Kimberley's Queen, Lord Palmerston, Jenny Austin, Triomphe de Pecq, Hugh Millar, John Keynes, Flower of the Day, Pandora, Mrs. Dodds, Mauve, Juno, Earl of Shaftesbury, and Colonel Wyndham. Mr. H. Legge, of Edmonton, was second; Mr. H. May, third; Mr. Harrison, fourth; and an extra prize was awarded to Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing, of Stanstead Park Nurseries, Forest Hill. In Eighteen Fancies Mr. Keynes was again first with fine blooms of Harlequin, Pluto (splendid), Queen Mab (à very fine flower), Souter Johnny, Miss Jones, Starlight, Zebra, Conqueror, Baron Alderson, Garibaldi, Impératrice Eugenie, Lady Paxton, Leopard, Marc Antony, Confidence, and Mary Lauder. Mr. Legge, of Edmonton, second; Mr. Kimberley, third; and Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing fourth.

Amongst amateurs there was some very sharp fighting indeed. In Twenty-fours the Rev. Charles Fellowes, of Shottisham, was first with Fenny Keynes (which he can grow as no one else in England can), Pre-eminent, Clara Novello, Beauty of Hilperton, Norfolk Hero, Pioneer, Bravo, Chairman, Mr. Stocker, Sir G. Douglas, Mentor, Lady Taunton, Purple Standard, Criterion, Golden Drop, Triomphe de Pecq, Lord Palmerston, Madge Wildfire, Mr. Dodds, Earl of Shaftesbury, Heroine, Madame Alboni, and Majestic.

In Twelves Mr. Barnard was first, the Rev. C. Fellowes second, Mr. W. Dodds third, and Rev. T. Charlton fourth. Mr. Barnard's flowers were-Chairman, Lilac Queen, Chancellor, Lady Popham, Mrs. Balsache, Triomphe de Pecq, John Dory, Duke of Roxburgh, Mrs. Pigott, Beauty of Hilperton, Jenny Austin, and Earl of Shaftesbury.

In Sixes, where the contest was very sharp, Mr. Pope was first with Lollipop, Lord Palmerston, Earl of Shaftesbury, Mrs. H. Vise, Chairman, and Bravo. The Rev. C. Fellowes was second; Mr. Bernard, of Darlington, third; and Mr. H. Glascock, of Bishop Stortford, fourth.

In Twelve Fancies the first prize was obtained by the Rev. C. Fellowes, with Harlequin, Elizabeth, Conqueror, Oliver Twist, Lady Paxton, Madame Alboni, Queen Mab, The Flirt, Baron Alderson, Summertide, Pauline, and Ethel. Mr. Perry, of Castle Bromwich, was second; Mr. Dodds, third; and Mr. Corp, of Milford, near Salisbury, fourth.

The finest seedling Dahlia was Lord Derby, exhibited by Mr. Pope, of Chelsea. For this a First-class Certificate was awarded. Labels of Commendation were also given to Black Prince, Goldfinder, and Delicata; and a First-class Certificate to Model, an orange flower of fine properties.

Hollyhocks, considering the lateness of the day, were shown in fine condition. The first prize for Twelve Spikes was obtained by Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing, with Lady Dacre, Rosy Gem, Memnon, Golden Fleece, Mr. Blackwood, David Fowler, Monarch, Excelsior, Dr. Canning, Empress Eugenie, Mrs. Deans, Mr. T. Mackenzie, and Stanstead Rival. The second prize was obtained by Mr. Chater, of Saffron Walden.

In cut blooms of Twelve varieties Mr. May, of Bedale, was first; Mr. Minchin, of Hook Norton, second; Messrs. Downie, Laird, & Laing, third; and Mr. Chater, of Saffron Walden, fourth. Mr. May's flowers were Regina, pink; Mr. Wardrop, scarlet; Empress Eugenie, blush; Memnon, scarlet; Lord Loughborough, crimson; Yellow Defiance, yellow; Perfection, pink; Walden Masterpiece, orange; Lord Taunton, dark; Ossian, scarlet; Lizzy Roberts, primrose; and Mrs. B. Cochrane, scarlets.

Asters, both German and French, were truly grand; and again Mr. Betteridge was first in the former, and Mr. Sandford in the latter, with boxes which were the very model of growth. The prizes were distributed thus-German Asters, first, Mr. Betteridge; second, Mr. Westbrook, of Abingdon; third, Mr. Molyneux, of Nuneham Park; and fourth, Messrs. Minchin and