86 ALFALFA 



to that point by some agency. From the shape and 

 size of the alfalfa 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 

 insedls, and the reward offered by the plant for favors 

 rendered is a sweet drop of nedlar; that is, the flower, 

 in an enticing way, places a tempting sip of nedlar in 

 such a position that when the insedt has favored the 

 flower with a few grains of pollen unconsciously 

 brought from an adjoining blossom, and just as uncon- 

 sciously left, the coveted sip may be enjoyed. It is 

 evident, however, that the first flower visited will not 

 be cross-fertilized. 



' 'A hundred seed pods were gathered from a field 

 twenty-five miles away from any other known colony 

 of bees and another hundred pods from a field less than 

 one-half mile from a large apiary. The pods of these 

 two groups were counted, and it was found that the 

 pods taken near by the bees averaged two-thirds 

 greater number of seeds, and showed seed larger, 

 plumper, and more uniform in size. And while the 

 bees were condudling this valuable seed-making work 

 they were likewise garnering a quality of honey which, 

 submitted to all known chemical tests, has proven 

 itself equal if not superior to any other. 



"It has been my observation, further, that alfalfa 

 will yield the greatest quantity of honey under circum- 

 stances which tend to give the plant the most vigorous 

 growth. If the plant is upon upland, dry weather 

 will affedl the secretion of nedar before it will in a 



