90 



OBSERVATIONS BY APIARISTS. 



It is better than buckwheat, because it is as thick and rich and a 

 great deal whiter." 



MRS. M. D. HETZEL, Kinsley, Edwards county; nine stands. "Our 

 feed for bees here is mostly alfalfa, some wild flowers; no fruit-tree 

 blossoms. The bees find considerable feed on the box-elder trees early 

 in spring. Have a fifty-acre field of alfalfa joining the apiary, with 

 plenty of water within a few rods. The bees have had continuous 

 feed upon alfalfa blossoms from the 10th of May until frost, which 

 this year did not hurt the blossoms until the 16th of October. Do 

 not think white clover or buckwheat could be any improvement on 



Fio. 5. (Original.) Houey-bee on alfalla. From photograph. 



alfalfa for honey, either in quality or quantity. Our best swarm this 

 year produced forty pounds by July 3, and thirty-two more at the 

 close of the season, making seventy-two pounds for the swarm. Five 

 of the other swarms did nearly as well. Our honey this season was 

 pronounced by all who tried it to be as fine, if not the finest, flavored 

 they had ever eaten. I do not know yet as there is much profit 

 in keeping bees, but it is light and pleasant work. My sixteen-year- 



