any, and blossomed, and bore an abundance of seed. 

 Bees were seen on the blossoms for several weeks. 

 This proves that sweet clover is one of the most 

 wonderful nitrogen-gathering plants in existence. 1 

 should like to ask if sand vetch will grow on such 

 soil. Some time ago I saw an account where a jar 

 of soil was analyzed, and then a soy bean planted in 

 it. After the bean had made its growth it was re- 

 moved, and the soil was again analyzed, and the jar 

 of soil found to contain more nitrogen than before 

 the bean had grown in it; so the soy bean not only 

 got all its nitrogen from the air, but even stored 

 some from the air into the soil. The soy bean is 

 considered a good nitrogen-gatherer, but I doubt 

 whether it would grow well on soil taken 50 feet 

 below the surface. Of course, sweet clover must 

 have also potash and phosphorus, but I think my 

 experience shows that these elements are at a con- 

 siderable depth in the earth. The sweet clover would 

 not only gather nitrogen from the air and store it in 

 the soil, but it would, with its long roots, gather 

 the other elements from quite a depth and bring 

 them near the surface. Many worthless farms could 

 be made very valuable with this sweet clover, as 

 no high hill or poor steep side-hill is too poor for 

 sweet clover to grow on. 



The wheels, etc., that move the seed from place to 

 place along a public highway also move the nitrogen- 

 gathering germs there, for it grows so well along the 

 highway even in barren clay banks. 



Much has been said discouraging the planting of 

 anything for honey alone; but when we plant sweet 

 clover on poor soil the enriching of that soil is well 

 worth the trouble and expense, saying nothing about 

 honey. The value of sweet clover is just beginning 

 to be known. It deserves much more credit than it 

 has ever received from either the farmer or bee- 

 keeper. J. B. JOHNSON. 



Williamsfield, 111. 



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