16 AMERICAN HONEY PLANTS 



ALFALFA (Medicago sativa). 



Alfalfa is the most important honey plant west of the Missouri river. 

 It is also the most valuable forage plant in the same region. Once estab- 

 lished, a field of alfalfa continues to return valuable crops year after year. 



Fig. 6. Pollen-bearing blossoms of the alder. 



From two to five cuttings are secured each season, depending upon the 

 available moisture and the length of the growing period. It thrives best 

 in the irrigated regions with its roots in the rich soil supplied with abun- 

 dant, but not excessive, moisture. It is an old-world plant which has con- 

 tributed much to the prosperity of western farmers since its introduction 

 to this country. 



The honey from alfalfa varies in color and quality in different locali- 

 ties. In Colorado and Idaho it is of very light color and with a spicy, mild 

 flavor of excellent quality. In the Imperial Valley of California it is much 

 darker in color and of poorer quality. Alfalfa honey granulates readily, 

 but is generally regarded as a high quality of honey. The tendency to 

 early granulation makes it more desirable to market in the extracted state 

 than in the sections. 



The yield varies greatly, according to season, but the heaviest yields 

 come when there is a vigorous growth of the plant. Where grown with- 

 out irrigation a much greater variation in yield can be expected. In Ne- 

 braska and Kansas, alfalfa often yields good crops of nectar without irri- 

 gation, while east of the Missouri River it is seldom of much value to the 

 beekeeper. The author had a small field of alfalfa in western Iowa for 



