ent, and one of his books, but use a hive that my brother got up, with the movable combs similar to Langstroth's. I took out every frame of 30 different hives, in the last swarming season, and found none crosswise or crooked enough to interfere with moving them, except two, which had some of the combs built cornerwise; but I cut them, and took them out without breaking them but little. I have seen but a few combs built perfectly straight, but the most of them are not crooked enough to interfere materially with moving them. And as to the frames being waxed so as to "part" before moving, I have not found any difficulty in that way in all the hives that I have examined; which would number fifty or more. ery sign of moth, and seeing that the queens were all right. The advantages of the movable frames are many; two I have stated, and I will state one more. The Italian bees are known to be superior to our common blac‹ bees. How are we to introduce them into our stocks? Without the movable frames the process would be slow, uncertain, and expensive; with them it it is easy, certain and cheap. Last June I received an Italian queen of Mr. Quinby, of New York. I now have from her 12 colonies with Italian queens. Before the introduction of patent hives, the bees, in this locality, were nearly annihilated by "broadsides" from the bee-moth. Since that time bees have increased twenty-five per cent. per annum. It is not to be expected that anything can work well in the hands of inexperienced persons. I regret that the FARMER sanctioned an effort to destroy the great, and, as yet, but partially successful, efforts that are being made to make this the promised land, flowing with What little knowledge I have of bee-keeping I have derived from Langstroth's treatise on the hive and honey bee, and only two years' experience. I am not complete master enough of the bee to have "perfect" control, but have successfully handled every swarm that I have yet tried. I will not attempt to give my mode of handling them, but would refer to Lang-milk and honey. stroth's treatise, the only work that I am acquainted with; perhaps there are others just as good, or better. JOHN HOWARD. LAKE, Jan. 10, 1864. A Shot in Return. If those who are skeptical in regard to movable frame hives will call on me, at Baraboo, Sauk county, Wisconsin, I will show them bees under as perfect control as claimed by "parroters" of patent hives; yet I am not a patentee, nor an agent. B. L. BRIER. BARABOO, Jan. 5, 1864. THE POULTERER. The Profit of Poultry-Raising. MR. EDITOR:-I have been calculating the effects of the "broadside" against patent bee hives. I think it will take many broadsides from larger crafts than the one commanded by Com. Shaw to sink the public opinion of patent hives, or hives with movable frames. In the vicinity of all large cities and towns Now, anybody who has practical knowledge fresh eggs are always in request, at the most of the movable frame hive, knows that the remunerative prices. Every tiller of the soil posesses, more or less, facilities for feeding bees can be made to build on the frames suf- poultry economically, and has also the space ficiently straight, if the hives are properly upon his land to make them comfortable and thrifty. But some time must be given to lookconstructed, so that each frame may be taken ing after them daily, and a degree of care is from the hive, with the comb and bees, with requisite to keep them in "good heart," and but little trouble. I have 24 colonies in mov- Shorthorns and Alderneys, our Suffolks and to render them of profit in the end. able frame hives. In 21 of these the bees Chesters, our Southdowns and Cotswolds, all have built the combs so straight that last fall, require care to keep them in fine condition. Why not, proportionately, so with our poulwhen I put my bees in winter quarters, I ex- try, which, having reference to the comparaamined every comb separately, removing ev- 'tive cost and product, pays with certainty so Our much greater a percentage of profit, year by year? In France every farmer has his chicken yard, and the amount of poultry and eggs consumed by, and exported from that country is enormous. Monsieur de Lavergne, for example, estimates that the poultry of Great Britain for this year (1861-62) is valued in round numbers at twenty millions francs, ($4,000,000,) while the total value of the two products-poultry and eggs-in France at the same period reaches rising two hundred millions of francs, ($40,000,000). If our American farmers would pay more attention to this subject, and so manage as to put upon the market their poultry in good condition early in the season annually, say in the months of May and June, a more than commensurate profit would follow the slightly increased expenses and extra trouble of the earlier rearings, inasmuch as matured chickens will command a considerably higher price in the months of May and June than during July and August.-U. S. Ag. Report, 1862. THE HORTICULTURIST. Shall we plow our Orchards ? of the opinion that a plow is not a suitable implement to use in an orchard. A few years since, after having plowed my orchard about every way, and harrowed it the same, I seeded it to grass-but found the surface of the ground too uneven to seed down, without much labor with hoe and shovel to level the tree-balks, but, at last, got it quite well done, and I think it will stay done. Now what will keep the trees in good growing condition? I have practiced mulching around the trees annually, which appears to In the winter or be just what is needed. spring,-probably mid-winter is better if snow will permit-take straw from the straw pile, after the cattle have trodden it under foot and mixed the manure with it, and put it around the trees, at the rate of a good load to eight or ten trees, thick enough to keep down grass and weeds. Consider whether the trees need much or little manure with the straw, and govern accordingly. If the orchard has been seeded down so long that the turf has become close and tough, I would take a pick or other implement, and dig up the turf for several feet around the tree, replace the turf bottom side up, and mulch as before. This seems to be what is wanted to keep the soil loose and enrich it as much as is necessary. In fact, it seems to be what new rum was said to be in my boyhood-good in wet weather, and good in dry weather, good in hot weather and good in cold weather, and finally, good all the time. I shall practice this method a while longer, and if I discover my orchard to be running down, and cannot find a better preventive, I shall again resort to the plow. MR. EDITOR:-During the past year the nenessity of plowing in orchards has been discussed for and against, but not to my entire satisfaction. With your permission, I will give some of my ideas and observations upon this subject. I have seen orchards plowed, making the dead furrows at the rows of trees, leaving a strip of greensward about three feet wide the whole length of the row of trees. This is bad policy-leaving the roots of the trees bare and exposed-not plowing the land that most needs to be plowed. Some turn back-furrows to the rows of trees, covering the roots too deep, and leaving a strip of greensward, as before. Others plow around their orchards, turning half the furrows from the trees, and bank up with the other half. Cross plowing is the same, except leaving a THE BEST SHADE TREES.-For the beginner, we would say, plant, at first, native, well square balk around the trees, instead of a known hardy trees. These will include, genlong strip. In connection with this is break-erally, the white elm, the rock maple, silver, ing the surface roots, bruising and wounding the trees with plow, harrow, whiffletrees, &c., which is not a small item. Yet with this treatment, I have seen orchards grow well, at least, for a time. revive and But still I am MONTICELLO, Dec. 15, 1863. DAVID SEARS. oak, chestnut, and perhaps a few others. To Norway Spruce, Siberian arbor vitæ, and a those who ignore "the books" and published few other foreign evergreens. Cultivation of Apple Trees in Portage County. EDITOR WIS. FARMER :-I have been experimenting with apple trees, and observing the experiments and experiences of others for several years, and, if the results of such practical observations would be acceptable to you, I should be pleased to contribute them from time to time to the FARMER. The soil of this county consists of a light| sandy loam, gravelly and stony subsoil, naturally well drained, and, except in a few localities, pretty good for the apple-good enough to yield fair farm crops. The degree of cold experienced, generally in the night time, is severe, the thermometer (Fahrenheit) sometimes 40° and even more below zero, often followed by warm and pleasant weather. Of the long lists of apples tried here, most have become diseased and worthless within a twelvemonth after planting; and, of the many seedlings, not more, perhaps, than one in a thousand have been able to withstand the vicissitudes of our climate and the careless cultivation to which they have been subjected. Still, several hundred fine and healthy trees, unaffected by the cold winters of 1855 and 1856, are living and bearing fruit in the county. This fact is encouraging people to plant. All want hardy sorts, and those who offer them say they sell only the "hardiest kinds in the West;" so the selection is left to the agent, who in turn leaves the selection to the nurseryman; he fills the bill with such as are most convenient-good and hardy somewhere, perhaps, but certainly not here. Now this indiscriminate planting is all wrong, as there can be no hope here with a "half-hardy," "pretty hardy," or tender sort. One thing is sure if success with fruit trees ever becomes general in this part of the State, people must learn what varieties they want, how to plant, and how to cultivate. With reviving hope and confidence a corresponding study of tree culture may reasonably be hoped for, and the general failure of information, should teach the more intelligent that the proper way to establish "rules for practice" for themselves is to be guided by the carefully conducted experiments of persons in our own State. And, from a reading and comparison of most of the leading agricultural and horticultural journals, for several years, I can safely assert that nowhere can such information be obtained, as carefully sifted from wild theories, and as applicable to us, as in the WISCONSIN FARMER. Still, with a different soil, and somewhat different climate from that of our neighbors in the southern part of the State, a somewhat different treatment may be necessary and proper, and only the hardiest sorts should be planted. The soil being light, a more thorough system of mulching, both for summer and winter, becomes necessary, and less stirring of the soil, and more thorough protection to newly planted trees; but of these matters I will write at another time. J. W. RIST. PLOVER, Portage Co., Dec. 16, 1863. Ten new and Promising Appies. BY J. C, PLUMB, LAKE SIDE NURSERIES, MADISON. EARLY RED.Tree, vigorous, upright, thorny, very dark, smooth wood; we have not found it an early bearer; fruit, medium size, round, red and striped, often dark red; flesh, white, stained with red, tender, pleasant, subacid. First of September. FALL STRIPE.-Vigorous, beautiful grower, extremely hardy, great and early bearer; fruit, medium size, nearly round, uniformly fair, tender, aromatic, subacid flavor, which takes everywhere; season, August and September; for family and market; like most early fruits, it does not preserve its flavor long, and is so prolific that a few trees will supply a neighborhood. It is a seedling of New England, introduced some twenty-five years since, by the writer's father. CRANBERRY.-Tree, very vigorous, irregular spreading, stout reddish shoots, with scattering whitish specks, difficult to grow handsome, blush on sunny side; stem medium, cavity wide, smooth, deep; calyx closed, basin narrow; core small, seeds large, flat; flesh white, tender, juicy, mild, vinous, gcod. October to January. except as a dwarf; very hardy and productive, size, round, conical, pale green, often bright superb for the garden; fruit very large, round, flattened, conical, greenish yellow, with bright red stripes and beautiful blush; stem, short and thick, cavity wide, deep and smooth; calyx, closed, basin shallow; flesh, white, fine grained, tender, juicy, brisk tart; excellent cooking from June to September. UTTERS. This splendid fruit was introduced into Dane county some twenty-three years since, and some years later into Jefferson county, from Illinois, but seems to have been lost sight of there, not being recognized when CIDER.-Resembles the St. Lawrence tree, but more vigorous, great bearer, very hardy and productive; fruit, large, oval, medium sized, red striped; stem slender, in a very narrow, deep cavity; calyx small, closed, slight basin, core medium; seeds many, small, flesh white, tender, brisk sub-acid; excellent presented at their exhibitions. FALL WINESAP. Tree, vigor- cooking and eating. September to January. It promises to become one of the few completely successful in the rich soils of the West. Has been cultivated by the writer for the last twenty years, supposed to be an old variety by some, but has not yet been identified. ous, upright grower, reddish grey wood, sheds its foliage in September; in the orchard, productive and quite hardy; fruit, large, round, flattened, mostly white, with some red stripes, very regular, smooth and beautiful; flesh, white, fine grained, firm, juicy, tart, good. September to December. FALL WINESAP.-Tree, very vigorous, irregular grower; forming a beautiful orchard tree, with many pendulous branches; wood, a dark brown, with many greyish patches after two years old; leaves, large and broad, many of them remaining on the tree till mid-winter; very hardy and productive; fruit, medium CANADA BLACK.-Tree very vigorous, upright grower, dark wood, with many small shoots, extremely hardy and productive with age; fruit, medium to large, oval, green, mostly covered with dark red; stem, short, thick; cavity, narrow, shallow, calyx small, closed; basin narrow, plaited; core oval, seeds large, black; flesh coarse, greenish, streaked with pink,firm, juicy, mild, good, January to spring, early and good bearer, and very hardy; good keeper until spring." It promises well in Wisconsin. CHRONICAL.-New and untested, but highly recommended by the party who introduced it from Indiana. Tree vigorous and hardy; fruit keeps well until July. DUMELOWS.-A foreign variety, found very valuable after fifteen years trial in this State. Tree, strong spreading growth, stout, speckled shoots; very hardy and productive; fruit medium, round, always smooth and fair, pale yellow, with delicate blush at maturity; stem short, small cavity; calyx large, open, in a shallow basin; flesh white, fine grained, semi-transparent, juicy, brisk tart, which it retains till June; this unusual quality will render it popular, Cheap Wine. Fruit Trees in the Northwest. EDITOR WIS. FARMER:-The following extract from a business letter by a gentleman in Rice Co., Minnesota, embraces so many points of general inquiry on the subject of fruit growing, that it would, doubtless, be a favor to many of your readers, north and west, to publish it and also my reply might stir up some of the faint hearted, in the matter of tree-planting, to renewed and well directed action; or if they shall awaken inquiry and elicit criticism, or responses from practical tree-growers in similar locations, much good may result: "Having, within the last three months, removed from Dodge county, of your State, to Minnesota, and surprized at finding scarcely a healthy apple tree, I would like to ask your opinion in regard to the cause. I have traveled in this State over 150 miles, mostly on the prairie. Soil here is almost invariably deeper, and underlaid with a more porous or looser subsoil, than with you, which is the case in timber as well as on prairies. On almost every farm may be seen stubs and stumps of trees, which throw up sprouts every summer to kill down the succeeding winter. Trees think the twigs, on being cut, show a larger seem to make very slow growth here, and I pith than in your State. Trees on timbered lands, in some places, show faint signs of suc John H. Klippart, in an article in the Ohio Farmer, says that just as good wine as the Ohio vintners make from grapes and sell for two to two and a half dollars per gallon, can be made from good cider properly treated, with the addition of glucose or grape sugar, and can be sold at a good profit at 25 cents per gallon. He adds: It may be stated without any disparagement to the efforts of Ohio wine-growers from the grape, that Prof. Kirt-ceeding. One man told me that he has seen land has from cider and glucose prepared an two orchards on the prairie which were doing article of wine, which is second only to the middling well, and the owners said they mavery best Sparkling Catawba, which it has been the writer's fortune to taste. A good bearing orchard in the vicinity of a starch factory is a better guarantee for the future production of a cheap and healthy wine, than the largest wine-cellars and delicate saccharometers in the State. nured high and planted with corn every year. My theory is, that the tree fails to get from the soil a sufficient amount of the right kind of food for making wood, and, consequently, is thin, soft, and pithy when our cold winters come on, and then dies from cold. I think if a piece of land can be found here, with sub We are sorry not to be able to agree with friend Klippart, but are, nevertheless, firmly established in the opinion that no juice under soil near enough to the surface to be reached heaven is equal to that from the grape for the with a common plow, trees would succeed on manufacture of wine. Currants, rhubarb, and I have seen a a great many other fruits and vegetables yield it, for the subsoil must contain the requisite a juice that may be made into a very drinka- food, as it is rich with lime. ble beverage, but it is hardly pardonable to few Siberian Crabs here, that any one might compare them with the grape. be proud of, and wild crabs and wild plums |