1908 



GL.-ANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



937 



The cloth should be put on the hive with the 

 painted side down. When it is removed during 

 manipulation of the frames, do not lay the paint- 

 ed side on the ground, as it may be more or less 

 gummy with bee-glue, and pick, up sand and 

 trash. If the sun is likely to shine on the cloth, 

 while off the hive, the better way is to fold it with 

 the painted side in. The painted surface gets 

 very hot when the sun is shining on it. If the 

 painted surface becomes too much covered with 

 bee-glue or burr-combs it can be scraped off, 

 while quite warm, after exposing it to the hot 

 rays of the sun. 



COST. 



I figured that the material (cloth and paint) 

 cost me about 10 cts. for each hive-cloth. In 

 this out-of-the-way place every thing (except hon- 

 ey) is expensive. In more favored localities they 

 would probably cost less. I used to pay 5 cents 

 apiece for second-hand gunny-sacks; and as each 

 sack would make only two hive-cloths, with some 

 waste, the old cloths cost me 2 '4 cents each; 

 but, as stated above, they had to be replaced 

 every year or two. The painted cloths appear to 

 be good for many years to come, and will, there- 

 fore, be cheaper in the end. 



They are quite flexible, and do not crack; yet 

 they are stiff enough to remain flat and smooth 

 vrhen peeled off from the hive. They are air- 

 tight and water-proof, so that, even if the cover 

 should happen to leak, the water will not soak 

 through the cloth. I have now used 250 or more 

 of these hive-cloths for three years, and I have 

 yet to find the first hole made in any of them by 

 the bees. I did, however, find one case where a 

 colony had died out; and, as it was not discover- 

 ed for some time, the moth-worms took posses- 

 sion and made several small holes in the cloth, 

 biting through from the painted side. 



In conclusion let me say that I am very much 

 pleased with the change from the old to the new 

 style of hive-cloths, and I owe Mr. Mclntyre a 

 debt of gratitude for putting me on the right 

 track in this regard. I hope that others may try 

 it and be likewise benefited. 



Independence, Cal. 



ALSIKE CLOVER. 



Profitable for the Farmer and for the Bee- 

 keeper. 



BY ADAM LEISTER. 



[The writer of the following article, Mr. Adam Leister, is one 

 of our neighbor farmer bee-keepers who makes a success both 

 with his farm and his bees. In talking with him the other day 

 as to why so many farmers were putting in alsike in place of the 

 ordinary red clover he made some statements which he kindly 

 consented to put in the form of an article. As he is posted as to 

 all of the latest developments of both branches of his business, 

 and a close observer as well, his article should merit a careful 

 reading, especially by the farmer class of our readers. — Ed.] 



For several years the high price of the common 

 or red clover, together with the uncertainty of a 

 catch, has set farmers to thinking about some 

 substitute. Alsike clover, with its pink-and- 

 white blossoms, is covering vast fields to-day 

 that would otherwise be barren. I have read 



much about "clover-sick soil," and I have sown 

 red clover for 35 years, and have closely observed 

 the time for sowing, with all conditions bearing 

 on this part of the program. At times my sense 

 of reasoning utterly came to a standstill as to 

 xf//)' the catch is not better. 



The observing eye has noticed the spontane- 

 ous growth of alsike along roadsides and wet 

 places where red clover is apt to winter-kill. 

 The meager catches of the red clover, with its 

 high price of late years, have unconsciously 

 driven the farmer to the sowing of alsike clover. 



As a milk-producer I consider alsike fully 

 equal to red clover. Sheep thrive on it, and eat 

 it with the greatest of relish. The bees have 

 filled their hives this season much earlier than 

 usual, for they have worked on the alsike, which 

 is much earlier, more vigorous, and larger, than 

 the white clover, and produced a very desirable 

 grade of honey. Alsike clover certainly ought 

 to receive one page in the seed catalogs. When 

 mixed with red clover it makes a perfect stand. 

 It is highly profitable for pasture, as it makes 

 excellent hay for all kinds of stock ; and last, 

 but not least, it has a value for honey that is 

 surpassed by no other clover. We welcome its 

 presence, and look upon it as the most profitable 

 crop that the farmer can grow when its honey 

 value is considered. 



Medina, O., July 6. 



CURING CLOVER AND ALFALFA. 



Wallaces' Farmer makes a good distinction 

 when it says that the moisture in the stalk can 

 not be easily taken out if the leaves are turned to 

 a crisp, as they will be if the hay is dried in the 

 hot sun. 



We must learn more about this business of 

 properly curing clover and alfalfa. First, that 

 we may put it in the mow in the highest nutritive 

 state. That is very important; for if we are wise 

 we shall want our cows to derive the largest bene- 

 fit they can from the hay. 



Second, we must guard against the ever immi- 

 nent danger of spontaneous combustion or spoil- 

 ing from over-heating in the mow. To put clo- 

 ver or alfalfa in the mow so if will be safe, and 

 come out in fine color and highest nutritive value, 

 ought to be the purpose of every good farmer. 

 Too many men are simply anxious to rush the 

 stuff in without regard to these other more im- 

 portant matters. We have never yet found a 

 way of curing clover or alfalfa that will encom- 

 pass these ends except by curing it in the cock 

 and under hay-caps. 



Now, if the clover or alfalfa is put into the cock 

 as soon as it is fairly wilted, the moisture of the 

 stalk is evaporated through the leaves, the natural 

 way, and all the juices and flavors are retained 

 and moisture dried by the fermentive heat rather 

 than the burning rays of the sun. In this way 

 the hay is cured rather than dried, and the nutri- 

 tive value is best preserved. Not only this, but 

 the leaves themselves, the most valuable part of 

 the hay, are preserved. Cure clover and alfalfa 

 in the cock with the addition of the hay-cap, and 

 if cut at the right time the process is complete. — 

 Hoard's Dairyman. 



