DIAEY OF HONEY PLANTS. Ig9 



Alsike clover seems to be intermediate between the white and red 

 in size of growth and also in the size of color of the blossom. The seed 

 is only about half the size of red clover seed, and it requires only half 

 as much by measure to sow an acre. In other respects alsike clover is 

 sown and treated like other clover. In sowing only from five to seven, 

 pounds per acre is needed. It seems to furnish richer pasturage than 

 red clover and at the same time has all the advantages of white clover 

 for honey. When cut at different times during the summer, it yields an 

 abundance of honey. The seed is still high, and as it is growing in 

 favor with farmers the demand for the seed is so great that the price is 

 good. It succeeds best in a cool, moist, loamy soil. 



Lucerne seems in some sections to yield honey in abundance, whilst 

 others report that they have it in abundance, yet have never seen bees 

 at work upon it. Sow as clover, with from twelve to eighteen pounds 

 per acre. It may be that some do not consider it a honey plant because 

 during its season other honey, which the bees prefer, is so abundant 

 that they neglect it, whilst in other sections they visit this plant in 

 quantities. These remarks apply not only to lucerne, but to many 

 other bee-plants, which in other communities are not visited by bees. 

 This insect is very choice — like a boy at dinner. Let him commence 

 on dessert and he will be content to make his whole meal of cake, pie, 

 and puddings, to the neglect of potatoes, bread, and cabbage, So Bees 

 will always work on that plant which they find at the time preferable 

 for honey in the vicinity, to the neglect of other good honey plants, 

 which would be visited in the absence of the first. Again, another 

 reason why certain flowers yield much honey in one vicinity, and not in 

 another, seems to depend upon the nature of the soil and climate, yet 

 we are unable at present to give more than general reasons, which the 

 progress of the bee-keeping industry must examine, and settle so far 



