Clover, Red 
Hollowell, E. A. 
1932. Red-clover seed production in the Intermountain States. U. S. 
Dept. Agr. Leaflet 93, 7 pp. 
p. 7: The dependence of seed setting on the number and activity 
of honeybees and bumblebees is not realized by most farmers who grow 
red-clover seed. The red-clover flower is practically self-sterile; 
that is, the pollen of a flower will not fertilize any other flower 
on any head of the same plant. Therefore, before fertilization can 
occur, it is necessary that the pollen be. transf erred between flowers 
on different plants. This cr oss-polli nation is done jar inci pally by 
honeybees, bumblebees, and other kinds of bees, whose presence in 
large numbers at the time red clover is blooming is essential for 
large yields of seed. Tf other nectar and pollen Droducing plants 
more liked by the bees than red clover are available, the honeybees 
in particular will work the other plants in preference to the red- 
clover flowers. If only the second growth is saved for seed, .the 
time of cutting the first growth may be regulated so that the 
second growth will be in full bloom when other flowering olants are 
scarce and then large numbers of bees are present. There is r eason 
to believe that in sections where an I ncreas e in acreage has been 
accom panied by declin ing yields of see _d r t he introduction of additional 
colonies of honeybees would prove profitable. Bumblebee nests should 
not be destroyed, and every effort should be made to provide desirable 
nesting places for queen bumblebees. 
Fieters, A. J., and Hollowell, E. 4. 
1937. Clover improvement. U. S, Dept. Agr, Yearbook 1937: 1190-12L4. 
p. 1199: Bees visit the red clover floret for nectar and pollen 
or both, tripping the florets and transferring pollen from plant to 
plant, thus constantly maintaining the co ndition of mixed inheritance 
in the species . Other insects, such as moths, are constantly seen on 
red clover heads, but they do not come in contact with the pollen and 
therefore do not effect cross-pollination. 
There has been considerable controversy as to the extent to 
which pollination can be accomplished by honeybees. Discussion has 
centered upon the fact that the tongue of the honeybee is not long 
enough to reach the nectar. The literature on this subject is 
voluminous and cannot be reviewed here. More recent in vestigations 
clearly indicate that honeybees visit red clover principally for 
pollen and seldom obtain nectar, but regardless of what is obtained , 
pollen is transferred and cross-pollination is effected . 
