Show ABOUT BEES AND THEIR EFFECT ON SEED CROP We wrote a letter asking for a reply on whether bees do or do not Injure the alfalfa seed crop and give our readers reders the following answer U. U S S. S Department of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Plan Industry Washington July 10 1929 With reference to your asto as asto to whether or not visits of the honey honey honey hon hon- ey bee to alfalfa flowers lowers may be In Injurious Injurious injurious In- In jurious to the alfalfa seed crop I am enclosing Department Bulletin No 75 Alfalfa Seed Production Pol- Pol Studies This bulletin gives the result of our experiments experimental work in with alfalfa seed setting The mechanism mechanism mechanism me me- of the alfalfa flower is such that is is 13 necessary for Cor the process known as tripping to take place before before before be be- fore the seed will set Honey bees a alfalfa falfa flowers in quite large numbers However they are not as in tripping flowers flowers flowers flow flow- ers as some Insects That they are helpful and more or less effective in bringing about this condition seems certain In our experimental work we found that when Insects were excluded excluded excluded ex ex- from alfalfa plants very little little little lit lit- tle if any seed was set Under very conditions al alfalfa alfalfa I al- falfa flowers will trip automatically I end and this in seed setting Our work indicates the honey bee to be an aid in the tripping of the fowers towers and we have no information inform Uon indicating that they are ever ious Roland McKee 1 Senior Agronomist Those who are re Interested and wish to study further may call cali in at atour atour atour our office and read the bulletin It seems in our opinion to be summed summed summed sum sum- med up in the words no Information Information information tion that they are ever injurious The Bulletin says very put that Insects can trip the flowers that tripping can be done automatically under favorable conditions and tells tell what are favorable conditions conditions- hot sunshine most most frequently Humidity is doubtless also a a. I. I factor actor Insects are ale the natural natural agents of cross pollination in alfalfa but even wh where re they are scarce good crops of seed may be produced Bumblebees and leaf leat cutting bees are the most insects to trip alfalfa flow flow- ers era secure much honey from alfalfa flowers but trip only a small percentage Wind or rain causes but few alfalfa flowers to be become come tripped Automatic tripping with consequent consequent consequent conse conse- quent self pollination probably results re results results re- re in the setting of as many pods as does tripping by insect visitors at least east in the West So dont don't be scared that the begs bees will injure your seed crop They will trip some blossoms but certainly not I injure your prospects |