CLOVERS. 219 



obtained. Red clover requires the agency of some 

 insect to produce seed. This is usually the bumble 

 bee. There are few bumble bees abroad when the 

 first crop is in bloom. The pollen of one flower is 

 placed on the stigma of another flower by them as 

 they visit the flowers for nectar. The purpose of the 

 brightly colored flowers is to attract insects for the 

 purpose of cross-fertilizing the plants. 



Darwin aptly says that the beef supply of England 

 depends upon the old maids. The beef supply de- 

 pends upon the clover, the clover depends upon clover 

 seed, clover seed depends upon bumble bees, bumble 

 bees upon field mice, field mice upon cats. Old maids 

 keep cats. Beal says that it is not improbable that 

 the time will come when queen bumble bees will be 

 reared, bought and sold for their benefit to the crop 

 of clover seed. It is doubtful whether honey bees aid 

 materially in fertilizing medium and mammoth clo- 

 ver. They do help to fertilize white and alsike clover. 



R^d clover should be sown in the spring. The 

 young plants do not usually withstand the winter 

 when sown in the fall. If sown with spring grain the 

 seed should be covered with the harrow. Even in fall 

 grain, the ground may be harrowed with a light har- 

 row without injury to the grain and to the benefit of 

 the clover. Rolling is usually advisable. 



Good judgment is required as to the time of sow- 

 ing. Much depends on the season. The young 

 plants may be killed by a sharp fi-eeze, or by a dry 

 spell of a few days duration, particularly if the seed 

 has not been well covered. 



In general drought is most to be feared. Hence 

 early sowing is usually advisable. Sowing on a late 



