1897. 



THE AMERICAN BEE JOURNAL. 



131 



and then saying that the cost cuts no figure in the matter ! 

 Then, remember, that through our unjustsystem 35,000,000 

 people are without homes in this land of liberty (?], with little 

 or no chance of the results of their labor (after furnishing the 

 actual necessities of life), ever going for a pound of honey ! 



The time has come for thought and action along other 

 lines than " how to produce the most and best honey from a 

 given number of colonies," etc. (which we have been writing 

 about during the past), if we are to live in the future at our 

 beloved pursuit. 



That the beekeepers of the world may be set to thinking, 

 is the excuse for this and the former article. 



• Oaondaga Co., N. Y. 



Value of Sweet Clover — How to Grow It. 



BT S. M. SEELEY. 



I noticed an inquiry in the Bee Journal regarding sweet 

 clover as a bee-food, when to sow it, etc., and as I have had 

 10 or more years' experience with sweet clover, and know 

 some of its good qualities, I wish to recommend it to the 

 readers of the Bee Journal. 



As a bee-food the sweet clover, either the yellow or white, 

 has no equal as a honey-plant, and I have observed that those 



Siteet Clover — Melilotiis Alba. 



who have access to it invariably report a good supply of 

 honey. Such has been the case with me, while many who 

 have not the clover, are feeding their bees each winter. 



Now, I would suggest to those who read the Bee Journal, 

 that they proHt by the experience of others, and at least give 

 this clover a fair trial. It Is my experience that it makes the 

 greatest quantity and finest quality of honey.of any plant I 

 have ever tried. 



I also consider sweet clover a good fertilizer, and I have 

 not yet found Its equal If properly applied. 



I would recommend this procedure : After cultivating 

 your corn the last time, sow two or more acres at the rate of 

 one measured bushel of seed per acre. It is best sown in the 



hull, as it loses Its germinating qualities sooner if hulled 

 The ground being shaded, it will not make a very large 

 growth until you cut the corn, which should be done as early 

 as possible ; then It will shoot up and cover the ground, and 

 make a good fall feed as pasture. 



The next year leave as many acres as will furnish you 

 with seed for the next two or three years, and thrash It with 

 a flail as soon as possible after cutting. 



The remaining part of the field should stand till necessary 

 to plant corn, then turn it under with a plow. If you wish to 

 obtain honey from it, let It stand till it ripens. By this plan 

 you may enrich your farm in a few years, and not have a 

 weed to contend with. 



Four years ago I sowed -4 acres for hog-pasture; a por- 

 tion of this was bottom land, and well sodded with yellow 

 dock. Today there is no dock to be seen; In short, I believe 

 sweet clover will take out any weed that grows. It is very 

 easily exterminated, either by cutting or plowing under before 

 the seed gets ripe. 



I have read several sketches in the Bee Journal like this : 

 " We have no surplus honey from our bees this season, and 

 have fed 1,000 pounds of syrup to 40 colonies of bees." It 

 strikes me If my beefrieuds would scrutinize the Bee Journal 

 more carefully they would see how men like Stolley, Bald- 

 ridge, and others, succeed with different honey-plauts, and 

 they would have better reports for the Bee Journal. 



Now, this may be rather severe, but I will make this 

 offer to any one in Kansas or adjoining States, that has had 

 access to sweet clover, with his bees In good condition, and 

 has met with more than one failure in the last 5 or 6 years : I 

 will pay his subscription to the Journal for one year. Now 

 this may be a rather rash offer, as I have not read the Bee 

 Journal that long, but will stand by my ofler, hoping to learn 

 of some one's experience that will be of use to me. 



Waubaunsee Co., Kans. 



[For seed rates on the above clover, see page 138. — Ed] 



A Few Bee-Notes from California. 



Br PROF. A. .J. COOK. 



Successful Honey- Year Expected. — We have now had 

 at this place over 1 5 inches of rain, and the clouds still fling 

 out their cheering banner. Last year we had only about 10 

 inches ; 15 inches is the amount usually given as necessary 

 to a honey crop. Thus we see that Southern California has 

 reason to expect a successful honey year during the season of 

 1897. Mr. Mclntyre, of the famous Sespe region, writes 

 that they have had over 17 inches there. It is needless to 

 say that the bee-keepers of Southern California are at present 

 wearing their broadest smile. 



Moving to California. — I am often askt by correspon- 

 dents in the East regarding the policy of coming to California. 

 I always reply that I think California offers special induce- 

 ments to persons with some capital ; but that It Is dangerous 

 for one to come here who has no capital, as the laborers seem 

 more abundant than work. I have a case, however. In mind, 

 that has interested me very much. It is that of Mr. Taylor, 

 formerly a successful bee-keeper in Michigan. I had the 

 pleasure of staying with Mr. Taylor at his pleasant California 

 home a few days since. Mr. Taylor lost his health in Michi- 

 gan, and his money as well, for It all went to the doctors. He 

 left his family — wife and two children— In Michigan, and 

 started for Southern California. His friends never expected 

 to see him again. When he arrived here, four years ago, he 

 had only S-IO, very poor health, and his wife and two children 

 yet In the East. He has now entirely regained his health, 

 has his wife and three children with him, has a fine apiary, 

 and .S2,000 in the bank. 



I do not mean to say that everybody would accomplish as 

 much. Mr. Taylor is an intelligent Christian man, true to 

 the core, and Is a hustler. He doesn't fool away any time, 

 and he never lets an opportunity go, however humble it may 

 be, if It presents good, honest work. To me, there is nothing 

 pleasanter in this world than to see a man succeeding as Mr. 

 Taylor Is doing, and to know that our country will rarely left 

 the industrious, deserving men go hungry to bed. 



Tele Michigan Convention Report. — It was a rare 

 treat to read the proceedings of the Michigan convention iu 

 the last American Bee Journal. It seemed almost like a visit 

 again with such old tried friends as Taylor, Hutchinson and 

 Bingham — noble fellows all. I often think of the good old 

 times we had, talking over the Interests of bee-culture, and 

 planning for its more successful prosecution in our beloved 



