RED CLOVER 



with golden dust. In reaching the nectar, which Hes 

 down deep in the long purple tubes, she crawls all over 

 the blossom head and some of the pollen which has 

 clung to her breast and legs is sure to be left upon the 

 stigmas. She has also brushed against the anthers 

 and taken a fresh supply of 

 pollen with which she may- 

 fly to another Clover head. 

 Deprived of her visits, the 

 Red Clover would not set a 

 single seed, for the blossom 

 tubes are too deep for the 

 little honey-bee. 



The history of Australia's 

 experience with Red Clover 

 is both interesting and illu- 

 minating: Clover seed was 

 sent to Australia; it did well 

 there but failed absolutely 

 to produce seed. This con- 

 tinued until some one sug- 

 gested it might be well to 

 import a number of bumble- 

 bees, which was done, and 

 the blossoms, then being fertilized, produced seed. 

 This is one of the most direct proofs of the depen- 

 dence of plants upon insects and the interrelations of 

 the two. 



Our cultivated fields give no more beautiful sight 

 than the Red Clover in bloom, and those who as chil- 

 dren sucked the nectar stored in the slender, tubular 

 florets can sympathize with James Whitcomb Riley 

 when he asks: 



Leaf of Red Clover. 

 pratense 



TrifoUum 



129 



