Lucerne Mems. 



Lucerne Honey. 



1 N the Kansas Board of Agriculture report, the following refer- 

 1 ence is made to the fertilization of lucerne flowers by bees and. 

 the production of honey : 



The lucerne blossom is so constructed that it is impossible for 

 it to fertilize itself ; the pollen cannot fall upon the point of fertili- 

 zation, but must be carried to that point by some agency. From- 

 the shape and size of the blossom, it is not probable that cross-- 

 fertilization could be safely accomplished by means of currents- 

 of air. 



It becomes evident, then, that outside agencies must be called, 

 upon, and the plant must provide for these agencies. The agents- 

 in this case we find to be insects, and the reward offered by the- 

 plant for favours rendered is a sweet drop of nectar ; that is, the- 

 flower in an enticing way places a tempting sip of nectar in such a 

 position that when the insect has favoured the flower with a few 

 grains of pollen, unconsciously brought from an adjoining blossom, 

 and just as unconsciously icft. the coveted sip may be enjoyed. It 

 is evident, however, that the first tlower vjsited will not be crors- 

 fertilized. 



A hundred seed pods were gathered from a field twenty-five 

 miles away from any other known colony of bees, and another hun- 

 dred pods from a field less than one-half mile from a large apiary.. 

 The pods of these two groups were counted, and it \vas found that 

 the pods taken near to the bees averaged two- thirds greater number 

 of seeds, and showed seed larger, plumper, and more uniform in 

 size. And while the bees were conducting this valuable seed- 

 making work, they were likewise garnering a quality of honey 

 which, submitted to all known chemical tests, has proved itself 

 e^ual if not superior to any other. 



It has been my observation, further, that lucerne will yield 

 the greatest quantity of honey under circumstances which tend to- 

 give the plant the most vigorous growth. If the plant is upon 

 upland, dry weather will affect tli3 secretion of nectar before it will 

 in a valley where the roots of the plant extend to tho water. 

 During a dry period bees will fl} r over fields in bloom to a field 

 which is irrigated and beginning to bloom. 



