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613 



"■■-"■— "■^ '—■'■' 



AK'alta as a Homey-PIaut is con- 

 sidered very fine in western portions of the 

 United States, wliere it is cultivated ex- 

 tensively as a fodder for farm stock in gen- 

 eral, and for honey in particular. Its his- 

 tory, eharacterics, and directions for plant- 

 ing are given in the following from one of 

 our agricultural exchanges : 



Alfalfa has been in cultivation since very 

 ancient times, being introduced from west- 

 ern Asia into Greece about 500 years B. 

 C. It is of general cultivation in both 

 hemispheres. On the pampas of Buenos 

 Ayres it has escaped from cultivation, and 

 grows extensively in a wild state ; likewise 

 in parts of Mexico. Though known for a 

 long time in this country, it is not culti- 

 vated to the extent that it should be. 



Alfalfa is a perennial, and especially 

 adapted to dry climates, withstanding 

 drouth better than other clovers. Tena- 

 cious lands that hold water are not suitable 

 for its culture unless well drained. A 

 permeable sub-soil is best, as it allows the 

 roots to penetrate to a great depth — 8 to 

 20 feet. 



Before seeding, have the ground in a 

 thoroughly pulverized condition, and sow 

 early in tlie spring, so that there will be 

 time for the plants to become well estab- 

 lished before they are subjected either to 

 drouth or extreme cold. If seed is sown 

 broadcast, 20 pounds per acre will be re- 

 quired ; if in drills, 15 pounds will be 

 enough. If raising seed is the main object, 

 then 13 or 14 pounds to the acre will give 

 the best results, as the plants will be more 

 vigorous, and yield more seed. Drill cul- 

 ture gives the best results, especially if the 

 soil be dry or weedy. The drills may be 12 

 to 18 inches apart, according to the tool 

 used in cultivating. Seed if sown broad- 

 cast gives the best results it put in alone. 



Alfalfa should be neither mowed nor pas- 

 tured until it has made considerable growth 

 and got well established. As a soiling 

 plant it has no superior, being sometimes 

 mowable 5 to 7 times in one season, and 

 yielding a large amount at each cutting of 

 nutritious hay, which is relished by all 

 kinds of stock. For hay, cut as soon as the 

 blossom appears, and cure so as to prevent 

 loss of leaves in drying. The seed is saved 

 from the second crop, and amounts to 10 

 to 14 bushels per acre. The yield per acre 

 of hay is from 4 to 6 tons. 



The splendid qualities of the honey gath- 

 ered frotn alfalfa are thus commented upon 

 by Mr. A. I. Root, editor of Oleanings, 

 when giving his opinion of a sample re- 

 ceived from a bee-keeper residing in Broom- 

 field, Colo. : 



The sample of alfalfa honey is not only 

 the finest in appearance of any honey I 

 ever saw in my life, but it is also equal in 

 flavor. It is almost if not quite as clear as 

 water, and yet during a hot July day it 

 will scarcely run. It is as clear as a crys- 

 tal, and exquisite in flavor. Very likely 

 our friend has not a ton of such honey ; 

 but if he has, I should think it would be a 

 small fortune if he could get it before the 

 class of people who buy gilt-edge butter, 

 and things of that sort. And, by the way, 

 we are using alfalfa honey on our table 

 day after day. I never ate any other honey 

 that suited so well, and for so great a 

 length of time. At present the outlook 

 seems to be that alfalfa honey is destined 

 to lead the world. 



Supply Dealers who desire to handle 

 a good Bee-Veil, should write for our dozen 

 rates on the"Globe" Bee- Veils, to sell again. 



M* OWM UEES. 



BY STELLA A. ALLEN. 



Down in the red and white clover. 



Under the sassafras tree. 

 Stands a colony of Italians, 



That my father has given to me. 

 They have a fairy-like palace. 



Beneath those shady bowers, 

 And fruit of many day's labor, 



The balm of a thousand flowers. 



Within that royal domain. 



That is seldom brought to view, 

 Is a form that walks amid her train 



With her bands of golden hue. 

 Right royal are her subjects. 



As willing to do or dare. 

 To protect themselves from danger. 



And their queen of beauty rare. 



And on their rustic seat I sit, 



And watch their eager haste, 

 As they carry in sweet stores of food- 



Not a moment runs to waste. 

 And a useful lesson, too, I learn. 



As they gather in their store. 

 I, too, may lay up treasures. 



Of wealth and wisdom's lore. 



Paper-Cuttings vs. Sawdust for 

 Winter Packing. 



Written fur the American Bee Journal 



Query 728. — 1. Would there be any 

 objection to using paper-cuttings, such as 

 we find in book binderies or printing 

 offices, for winter packing i 2. Would it 

 be as desirable as sawdust t — A. R. 



1. No. 3. Yes, if not better. — Dadant & 

 Son. 



1. No. 3. I think so if well packed. — A. 

 J. Cook. 



1. I think not. 3. I would prefer saw- 

 dust.— M. Mahin. 



I do not know. I would try a few hives 

 first. — Eugene Secok. 



1. Dry hard-maple leaves will beat it. 3. 

 I think not.— J. M. Hambaugh. 



It will make good winter packing, I 

 should say.— James Heddon. 



1. No. 2. I would prefer the cuttings to 

 sawdust.— J. P. H. Brown. 



I doubt if you can tell any way but by 

 trying.— C. C. Miller. 



1. I have had no experience with that 

 material.— R. L. Taylor. 



1. No, I think not, but I consider oat- 

 straw chaff the best and cheapest. — Mrs. L. 

 Harrison. 



1. I think the paper-cuttings would be 

 safe, but I should perfer the sawdust.— C. 



H. DiBBERN. 



I have had no experience in winter pack- 

 ing, but should think that dry sawdust 

 would be most desirable. — A. B. Mason. 



1. It would mold. 2. Sawdust would be 

 much better. I have better success with 

 dry maple leaves.— H. D. Cutting. 



1. I should think that it might do weU. I 

 never used any, so I could not tell how it 

 would compare with sawdust. — G-. M. Doo- 



LITTLE. 



1. I would not use the paper, it chaff or 

 straw could be procured. 2. I should pre- 

 fer the sawdust to the clippings. Bran is 

 good. — J. M. Shuck. 



1. I have never tried it, but I am not 

 favorably impressed with its fitness for the 

 purpose of an absorbent. 1. I think not. — 

 G. W. Demauee. 



1. I think not 3. Yes, I believe it 

 would be very much better, fori think saw- 

 dust the most undesirable packing for win- 

 ter I ever used. — G. L. Tinker. 



1. None at all. 3. I think that it would 

 be more so, if finely cut and perfectly dry. 

 It certainly would not be so apt to collect 

 and retain moisture, as would sawdust. 

 For myself, I prefer an air-space instead of 

 filling. — J. E. Pond. 



'EE ComEETIMS. 



Xlie Soiitlitrestern ^Viscoiisin 



Bee-Keepers' Association, which meets at 

 the residence of E. France, in Platteville, 

 Wis., on Oct. 8, 1890, promises to be a 

 very profitable gathering of the apiarists 

 of that progressive State. All are invited 

 to attend. The following subjects are 

 announced, and will be carefully prepared 

 and presented, after which interesting dis- 

 cussions thereon will ensue : 



Implements in the Apiary, by F. L. 

 Snyder, of Orion. 



Artificial Swarming, by E. Prance, of 

 Platteville. 



Natural Swarming, by G. O. Miller, of 

 Boscobel. 



Comb Foundation, by Benj. E. Rice, of 

 Boscobel. 



Best Way for Hives to Face, by B. Bar- 

 tholomew, of Boscobel. 



Races of Bees, by N. E. France, of Platte- 

 ville. 



Wintering Bees In Doors or Out, by Chas. 

 Zelmer, of Wauzeka. 



Feeding Bees, by M. M. Rice, of Boscobel. 



Locating an Apiary, by Court Main, of 

 Boscobel. 



Size of Hives, by W. H. Prideaux, of 

 Bloomington. 



Queen-Rearing, Introducing, etc., by A. 

 Arms, Hurlbut's Corners. 



Marketing Comb and Extracted Honey, 

 by H. Evins, of Wauzeka. 



Help by Our Society, National, State and 

 Local, by N. E. France, of Platteville. 



Honey-Plants— Wild or Cultivated, by J. 

 W. Van Allen, of Haney. 



How Best to Extract, by Edwin Pike, of 

 Boscobel. 



Robbing — Cause and Cure, by A. E. 

 Collie, Mt. Hope. Edwin Pike, Pres. 



B. E. Rice, Sec'y. 



Convention rVotices. 



B^" The Southwestern Wiscon.sin Bee-Keepers' 

 Society, will meet on Oct. a, 1890, at the residence of 

 B. France. Platteville, Wis. B. KlCE, Sec. 



IF" The fall meeting of the Central Michigan 

 Bee-Keepers" Association, will meet in the Pioneer 

 Rooms, Capitol Building, Lansing, Mich., on Wed- 

 nesday, Oct. 15, I8yi3, to commence at lO a.m. 



W. A. BARNES. Sec. 



SS^ The Capital Bee-Keepers' Association will 

 meet in the Supervisors' Boom of the Court House, 

 in Springfield, Ills., at 10 o'clock. a.m., on Sept. 26, 

 1890. Come, and let us have a good time. 



C. E. vocoM, Sec. 



CInlts of 5 for $4.00 to any addresses. 

 Ten for $7.50. if all are sent at one time. 



