The Florida agriculturist., 1881-08-24
A Louisiana Orange Grove.

light, we entered the region OF sugar
cane and orange groves just as the
rising sun scattered the river fog, and
brought q day OF soft beauty like a
May Sabbath 'at the North. The air
was balmy but stimulating, and the
sceue beautiful beyond description
North of the river the cane fields
stretched from the levee back to the
lake. while on the south side dark
forest, open field, and oranges alter
mated. The dark green trees OF the
orchards, set much thicker than APP
ple trees, hung full OF the rich green
and yellow fruit; and as the boat
landed every mile or two we had
abundant time to enjoy the scene. AT
length we reached the big orchard,
where the boat lay an hour, and l
fastened on shore to secure few
specimens. Far back, almost hidden
by the trees, stood the low, broad
cottage, entirely surrounded by porch
which is the standard dwelling here,
and when made offer to purchase
from mulatto, the only person in
sight, l was confronted by stately
dame who rose from the porch look
ing as if she might have stepped right
out OF the age of LOUIS XIV. Her
black dress, her snowy hair, strangely
fair complexion, set off by white
shawl, added to the lofty dignity with
which she said:
"Sir-r-r, We DO not retail the
oroniiz."
had blundered. When one has
1000 trees in full bearing it does look
little small to be asked to sell a
nickel's worth. Creole dignity was
touched, but when explained that
l only wanted few which l could
take from the tree myself, to show my
children, away in the cold North,
the vieille madame became all graz
ciousness. She poinred out the exact
shade which would change to rich
yellow by The time got home; told
me they sold $4,000 worthGroln 1000
trees, and that this year they semitic
market in their own boat, always
picking them as many days before
complete ripeness as it would probas
bly, take for shem to reach their des
tination. She said one good apple
here was worth two or three oranges,
and smiled sweet unbelief when-II
told her Of our land of long winters
where apples are common diet. d9
| --&s1- teI
Twelve Facts for Beginners.
d. Il. Pike, in Semi Tropic California.
l will offer for publicationaa few
facts which every bee-keeper ought
to know; "a 8 le
1. That the life Of worker bee,
during the working season, is only
from six to eight weeks duration,
and that a large majority of-them
never live to see seven weeks.
2. Thata worker bee is from FIVE
to six days old before it comes out, at
f the hive for Che first time to take ah
airing. and thai it is from fourteen
to sixteen days old before it begins
to gather either honey or pollen.
3. That all swarms engaged in
building comb, when they have not
a fertile queen, build only drone
comb, and that all the comb in the
, lower or breeding apartment. should
be worker or brood comb, except a
E very small quantity Of drone comb,
four inches square being amply suffi
/ Gent. 1,aar
4. That the eprolific the queer
a is the more ycung bees you have, anc
the more surplus honey will be gath
cred, other things being equal.
5. That yon ought never. to Gu
moldy combs out Of the hives, for thu
reason that YOU should never allow
i it 10 become nodded. Z
!, 6. That you ought never to double
!, swarms or stocks of bees in the fall
al 49,, onoh. oad - tho