Alfalfa in Kansas. 



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BEES AND THEIR RELATION TO ALFALFA. 



By S. J. HUNTER, Entomologist, University of Kansas. 



Every alfalfa grower should be a beekeeper. In industry, productivity, 

 adaptability and utility the honeybee is second to none. The alfalfa 



grower who is likewise a beekeeper 

 receives two-fold return from his al- 

 falfa crop. He will, therefore, do 

 well to take advantage of the use- 

 fulness of this remarkable little co- 

 worker. 



In the case of the alfalfa blossom, 

 a study of its structure shows, both 

 from its shape and size, that it is not 

 probable that cross-fertilization could 

 be safely depended upon by means of 

 currents of air. It becomes evident, 

 then, that outside agencies must be 

 called upon, and the plant must pro- 

 vide for these agencies. The agents 

 in this case we find to be insects, and 

 the reward offered by the plant for 

 favors rendered is a sweet drop of 

 nectar; that is, the flower in an entic- 

 ing way places a tempting sip of 

 nectar in such a position that when 

 the insect has favored the flower with 

 a few grains of pollen unconsciously 

 brought from an adjoining flower, 

 and just -as unconsciously left, the 

 coveted sip may be enjoyed. 



FIG. 350. A honey bee in the act of 

 gathering nectar, and at the same time 

 cross-fertilizing the alfalfa blossom. 



INFLUENCE OF BEES UPON THE SEED CROP. 



The process of fertilization in a typical flower is not complex. The 

 stamens have long filaments which bear the pollen-producing anthers 

 high above the ovary. When the pollen is ripe it falls naturally upon the 

 stigma of the ovary, and fertilization of the seed is soon accomplished. 



The writer conducted a number of experiments upon the fertilization 

 of the alfalfa blossom. The first work consisted in covering a large num- 

 ber of blossoms with fine cheesecloth. It soon became evident that this 

 would exclude all insects, and the good services of the bee would not be 

 demonstrated, so that this line was discontinued and another taken up. 



BEES INCREASE THE SEED CROP. 



A large number of representative ripened pods were gathered from an 

 alfalfa field less than one-half mile away from a large apiary, and a like 

 number from another field of much the same soil and practically under 



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