152 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



To become a successful bee-keeper, re- 

 quires hard, steady, patient toil, careful 

 observation, and study, and pxperieuce 

 gained even under failure. 



Besides, we all know, that the movable 

 somb hive and extractor, the very instru- 

 ments wliicb in our hands multiply our 

 stocks and double our profits ; in the 

 kauds of the novice, are instruments of 

 destruction, no less certain, but more 

 cruel, than the much-abused "brimstone 

 pit." 



Now I believe, that there is no class of 

 men in the world more honest, than the 

 intelligent bee-keeper. But we are too 

 modest ; we hate to tell men that they can 

 not do all that they see done. 



Now let us be honest in our statements 

 to the people, l^et us quit trying to per- 

 suade everybody to keep bees, on the im- 

 proved plan. Let us still be ready to in- 

 struct a man in our art, but when he has 

 heard our say, and is indulging in gay 

 dreams, of future bliss, when mid count- 

 less swarms of bees, he shall bring forth 

 rivers of honey, from every teeming hive ; 

 let us be honest enough to tell him that, 

 "He knoweth nothing yet, as he ought to 

 know," and unless his business has been 

 nnusually well learned may expect his ef- 

 forts for some time to be crowned with 

 disappointment 'and failure. "Apis." 



E3parc3i Culture. 



From tlie little work, just at hand, by 

 Fried. Aug. Pinckcrt, we glean the fol- 

 lowing, touching in brief, upon the cli- 

 mate, soil, care, tillage, &c., required for 

 the cultivation of Esparcet. 



In the preface he says : "The Esparcet 

 is mow considered, among all the known 

 fodder-plants, especially among the clover 

 kind, tliC most nourishing, and therefore 

 the most valuable to the agriculturist ; 

 and enriching the soil, is equal if not su- 

 perior, to trefoil." {Luzerii — Ger.) which 

 he considers next best. 



"It will flourish," he says, "where red 

 clover and trefoil will not, on places such 

 as rocky hillsides ; especially were chalk 

 and lime-rock abound." It will strike its 

 roots from eight to ten feet into the 

 ground, winding its way through fissures 

 in the rocks, and making the laud mellow 

 for less deep-rooted plants. 



"It contains," he continues, "more 

 nourishment — 08 parts in 100 — than nny 

 oUicr kind of fodder ; and for taste is 

 ])rcfcrrcd by all kinds of stock, holding it 

 as a real titbit. It is also best for milch 

 cows. It does not furnish so much hay 

 per acre as some other kinds of clover, 

 but what it lacks iu quantity, it makes up 



double in quality." So much then for its 

 value as a farm crop, now then for its 

 cultivation : 



Endurance — Its endurance depends en- 

 tirely upon the soil where it is grown. It 

 has been known to grow vigorously from 

 15 to 20 and 30 — Peter Lawson asserts 

 100— years, the average, however, is from 

 six to ten years. 



Re-sowing. — After it ceases to yield a 

 good crop, break up and put in grain, tfcc, 

 until these cease to bear profitably, then 

 again put on the Esparcet ; but not 

 sooner than 15 years after breaking, un- 

 less the soil has has been prepared for 

 grasses with laud-plaster, &c. 



Climate. — "As it is a native of a warm 

 climate, it will, of course, flourish best 

 in a wine climate, but experience proves 

 it will also prosper outside of this cli- 

 mate." It will grow wherever red clover 

 can be grown with certainty. 



Location. — "Sunny, high and free places 

 are the best, for it is often injured iu low 

 places by the dampness, honey and mil- 

 dew. Even for the following reason it 

 should be sown on higli, uneven ground, 

 and steep hillsides, because of the excess- 

 ive labor to cultivate annuals iu sucli 

 places" — in short, it appears no matter 

 how poor, miserable or unthrifty the lo- 

 cation, it is good enough for Esparcet ! 

 Provided, however, if grown on such 

 ground, it receives careful preparation, 

 and a yearly manuring with land-plaster, 

 &c. 



Soil. — Its growth depends on the lime, 

 chalk, marl, and gypsum parts which the 

 soil contains. In localities where these 

 formations arc to be found, its growth is 

 almost certain. It cannot endure a wet, 

 strong clay or low, marshy soil. Sum- 

 ming up all he says about the soil, there 

 is uo doubt it will flourish where our 

 grains are grown with success. 



Tillage. — Deep plowing, and careful 

 preparation are essential ; but in gravelly 

 places where the plow cannot be worked 

 in, it will prosper nevertheless ; but it 

 should always be kept free from weeds, 

 as its growth is sensibly aft'ected by their 

 presence. Should the soil be too poor to 

 nourish the young plant, it will be neces- 

 sary to manure with guano, bone-meal, 

 &c. ; but as seldom as animal vegetable 

 manure is necessary, it is most essential to 

 employ the mineral manures. 



Sowing. — The best time for sowing is 

 in spring, but it can be sown in the fall 

 with otlier crops. Sow at the same time 

 with your other grains ; even as late iUB 

 buckwheat time will do. The quantity 

 in bulk would range about the same as 

 wheat, or perhaps oats. Mix it with these, 

 or other grains and sow broadcast or ia 



