J*«iblis2ied 'WGGUly, at S1,00 per annum. 



Sample Coi>y sent on ^-IppJicnfion, 



36th Year. 



CHICAGO, ILL., JAN. 9, 1896. 



No. 2. 



The Blooming of Sweet Clover. 



BY M. M. BALDKIDGE. 



On page 807 (1895) is a brief article on sweet clover, in 

 which the writer says: 



"Sweet clover comes into bloom at or near Lemont, 111., 



the same latitude. Lemont being near Chicago, is practically 

 in the same latitude as St. Charles. Now, sweet clover never 

 blooms here until the latter part of June, and often not until 

 the forepart of July. Nor does the plant, as a rule, remain 

 continuously in bloom here until killed by frost. The state 

 of the weather has much to do with its duration of blooming. 

 In seasons of drouth it may not remain in bloom longer than 

 six to eight weeks before it matures a crop of seed. This year 

 (1895) the crop of seed was harvested here in August, at 

 which time there was no bloom in sight. Now if before or 

 about this stage of its growth we have a good supply of rain, 

 the plant will send out a new growth of leaves and branches, 

 and a second crop of blossoms, and the blooming may then 

 continue till winter sets in. In fact, I have seen such things 

 happen quite often. But, after all, the main crop of honey 

 will be secured from the first crop of blossoms. 



Again this writer says: "To secure a fall crop of honey 

 from sweet clover, cut half of it down about the middle of 



A Small Plat of White Melilot Clover in Full Bloom,.— See page 24. 



the forepart of June, and then remains in bloom until killed 

 by frost." 



I think the writer has made a mistake, or else he has a 

 different and an earlier-blooming variety of .sweet clover than 

 grows here where I live, or that I have ever' seen elsewhere in 



August, and, one week later, cut the rest of it down, and. this 

 will insure good pasturage for bees until frost." 



Now as the plants sometimes ripen a crop of seed about 

 the middle of August, it is my belief that most of the roots 

 would die if the plants be cut at this stage. I should, there- 



