COmiTIOI^I OF FLOl-fflRS HI THE ALFALi'A FIELDS. 



Before any experiments had been planned or 

 executed an examination was made of the condition of 

 the alfalfa flowers in the fields near Pullman. 



It was found that a large proportion of the 

 flowers had not been tripped and that the pistils of 

 most of the tripped flowers were in a fresh, turgid 

 condition; on the other hand, it was observed that 

 many flowers had been tripped and that most of the 

 tripped flowers were more or less wilted. 



During bright, warm days domestic honey 

 bees and other honey gathering insects were more or 

 less abundant in the fields. It was not known, 

 however, whether it was these insects or some other 

 agencies which had caused the flowers to become tripped. 

 Furthermore, there was considerable difference of 

 opinion in regard to the self- fertility of the alfalfa 

 flower. 



~ 6 - 



