RED CLOVER

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16217, 21 May 1918, Page 3

RED CLOVER

("Written for "The Press'' by Mr Levi Lowe, Rolleston.) As the red clover season is practically over, I would like to make a few observations that may be of interest to farmers growing .red clover for seed purposes.

Many farmers are under the impression that it does not matter if they have a large area shut off for seed. In the various observations I huvo made of clover shut up for seed this year, I have noticed that the large, heavy lots are very poorly seeded. As there is only a limited number of bumble bees, it stands to reason that they can fertiiiso only a limited quantity of flowers, as every bloom has to be fertilised before it will produce seed. A farmer with five or ten acres of clover, with a good season, will probably shell more seed than a man with 20 or 30 acres. If a farmer desires to keep the. latter acreage, the only chance of success as far as 1 can sec in the way of fertilisation, is to mow the paddock in sections whenhe is cutting his hay crop, leaving an interval of nbout a week between each lot. A well sheltered paddock with a water-race running through it, is ideal for clover seed growing. Wet, cold or windy weather is very detrimental, as the bumble beo likes warm days, and will not face bad weather. A very strong wind is also bad if the clover is in full bloom, as the petals get bruised and the bees don't seem to care about working damaged blossoms. At least, that is what I nave noticed.

There is not, always uniformity in the petals coming lo maturity at the same time even on the same blossom, and the bees leave these alone. I noticed a bee working on some lato blooms with the above result. I noticed also that on some of the petals the bee split the tube halfway down in his endeavour to get at the honey. I don't know whether the splitting of the petal tube is in any way detrimental to the production of seed, but I should say no.t, in fine weather at any rate, as the flower tube be.'/iiis to dry off soon after the bees have <_ une with it.

There has been a dark brown rust in tin: clover that I have not seen before, especially where the clovcr was heavv, and I tailed to find seed worth anything. What little there was had a shrivelled, blighty, lean appearance, and no good for sowing. From the above I come to the conclusion that a lisrlit, thin crop is of ton better for seed tfan a heavy one. Then lastly there is the timo tho bumble bees swarm. They don't come at the same time every year, but a week or so later every year till a certain time, and then they start early again. Wot seasons undoubtedly have something to do with it, but I think if farmers observe the seasons when they swarm, tliey will be able to form their opinions fairly accurately.