186 



in that regard; and for this reason it is de- 

 sirable to mix sweet clover with alfalfa 

 meadows, resulting in a more satisfactory 

 hay, as well as assisting the inoculation of 

 the soil where alfalfa is getting a start. On 

 account of the frequent mowings of the al- 

 falfa, the sweet clover will not be able to 

 reseed, and will disappear from the alfalfa 

 at the end of the second year." 



The value of this plant for honey was not 

 overlooked, and the different varieties were 

 compared as to their value to beekeepers. 

 Then follow full particulars in regard to the 

 seed and methods of sowing; the best time 

 of year for sowing, the amount of seed, the 

 nurse crop, etc. 



All this goes to show that farmers every- 

 where are waking up to the value of this 

 once despised iveed, and are calling for the 

 seed to such an extent that the seed com- 

 panies are getting out these special pam- 

 phlets. For further particulars regarding 

 the special pamphlet mentioned above, ad- 

 dress The Bokhara Seed Company, Fal- 

 mouth, Ky. 



HOW THE BEES HAVE WINTERED. 



As in former years, we find it difficult to 

 give a comprehensive report of the prosjiects 

 of the season; for, although we have hun- 

 dreds of reports, there are not enough in 

 any one State to give conclusive evidence. 

 On account of the influence of local condi- 

 tions, these reports from localities, often 

 only a few miles apart, are more or less con- 

 flicting. It is still too early for any thing 

 definite from Canada. We will take up the 

 States that we have heard from, one by one. 



CALIFORNIA. 



The early reports were any thing but hopeful. 

 During the fore part of March there were good 

 rains: but while most of the beekeepers feel some- 

 what better over the outlook it is doubtful whether 

 a bumper crop will be produced in any part of the 

 State, owing to the rains having come so late. 



CONNECTICUT. 



Few reports. Very few days when bees could fly. 

 but apparently most colonies have come through 

 in very good condidion. 



FLORIDA. 



There is every indication now that there will be 

 a fine crop of honey throughout Florida. While 

 the winter was a little backward, the cold did no 

 damage, and the copious rains have put every 

 thing on the boom. In the vicinity of Bradentown, 

 the orange blossoms opened up March 18. 



GEORGIA. 



The outlook has changed but very little from that 

 given in our last issue. 



ILLINOIS. 



Reports are rather unfavorable. Colonies in cel- 

 lars appear to be all right: but those wintered out 

 of doors have suffered losses all the way up to 75 

 per cent. One apiary of 58 colonies, all dead. 



INDIANA. 



Most colonies, wintered outside without protec- 

 tion, dead. Colonies in cellars and those well pro- 

 tected, and in good shape in the fall, are all right. 

 liOsses average about the same as in Illinois. 



IOWA. 



Heavy loss in inost parts of the State, ranging 

 from 40 to 60 per cent, and, in some instances, worse 

 yet. Considerable honey dew gathered last fall. 



KANSAS. 



Loss .of colonies in single-walled hives close to 25 

 per cent. 



Gleanings in Bee Culture 



KENTUCKY. 



Few reports. I^oss of colonies in single-walled 

 hives, possibly 50 per cent. 



MAINE. 



The few reports are all favorable. 



MARYLAND AND MASSACHUSETTS. 



Losses apparently not severe. 



MICHIGAN. 



Reports quite favorable, with the exception of 

 one loss of 39 per cent. In another apiary, all colo- 

 nies in fairly good shape with the exception of the 

 golden Italians, which are nearly all dead. 



MINNESOTA. 



Half of the reports show favorable wintering, the 

 others indicating a loss approaching seventy-five 

 per cent. 



MISSISSIPPI. 



Excellent prospects for good crop. 



MISSOURI. 



Colonies in good shape in fall, all right. Those 

 without protection wintered very poorly. 



MONTANA. 



The few reports received are very favorable. 



NEBRASKA. 



Heaviest loss in years. 



NEW HAMPSHIRE. 



Losses very light, as a rule. 



NEW YORK. 



Large number of reports show that losses are ap- 

 parently light. Colonies in cellars in good shape. 



OHIO. 



Many reports, most of which are favorable. In 

 one or two localities loss approaches 60 per cent. 



OKLAHOMA. 



Few reports. Loss possibly 33 per cent. 



PENNSYLVANIA. 



About half of the reports indicate serious loss. 

 Causes — starvation, insufficient packing, long-con- 

 tinued cold, etc. 



RHODE ISLAND. 



Few reports. No serious losses as yet. 



SOUTH DAKOTA. 



Few reports. Outdoors, 30 to 75 per cent loss. 

 Cellar, 10 to 25 per cent. 



TENNESSEE. 



In some parts, owing to poor quality of stores and 

 no packing, loss is quite heavy. Other reports more 

 favorable. 



TEXAS. 



Good season expected. 



VERMONT. 



Few reports indicate close to 50 per cent loss. 



VIRGINIA. 



Few reports. No serious losses. 



WASHINGTON. 



Apparently little loss. 



WEST VIRGINIA. 



Most reports indicate a loss of about one-third. 



WISCONSIN. 



All reports agree on quite heavy loss out of doors: 

 and, in some instances, in cellars also. 



In looking over these reports, the reader 

 must remember that much depends upon 

 the weather from this time on. Just now 

 (INIarch 25) there is nearly ten inches of 

 snow on the ground in this locality, the re- 

 result of a March blizzard. If the weather 

 turns very warm suddenly, and then gets 

 colder again after a couple of weeks, the 

 brood that will have been started may chill. 

 In two w'eeks the conditions may have ta- 

 Icen a decided turn one way or another. 



Look out for spring dwindling. This 

 spring we expect to hear of an unusual 

 amount of trouble from this source for the 

 weak colonies will not stand very much. 



