. American bee journal. Bee culture; Bees. Sweet Clover—An Occasional Forage-Plant. BV PROF. A. J. COOK. The note of reproof from the editor, on page 25, regard- ing my statement in reference to melilot only gives me pleas- ure. I am glad to have my position criticised, at all times. If I am wrong—and we all make frequent mistakes—I wish to be corrected, and the correction cannot be too speedy or too thorough. If I am correct, another's errors will be likely to be corrected. Thus candid, courteous criticism is always In order. Any other kind is always to be deeply regretted. How common were ha
. American bee journal. Bee culture; Bees. Sweet Clover—An Occasional Forage-Plant. BV PROF. A. J. COOK. The note of reproof from the editor, on page 25, regard- ing my statement in reference to melilot only gives me pleas- ure. I am glad to have my position criticised, at all times. If I am wrong—and we all make frequent mistakes—I wish to be corrected, and the correction cannot be too speedy or too thorough. If I am correct, another's errors will be likely to be corrected. Thus candid, courteous criticism is always In order. Any other kind is always to be deeply regretted. How common were harsh criticisms, bitter aspersions, and sharp, cruel, cutting Invective in the olden time of American bee- culture. Happily it is now rare. We can almost always criti- cise kindly, reprove gently, and after such criticism and re- proof are none the less friends. Thus, Mr. York and I are none the less friends, tho he so sharply questions my act. I have noticed all the recent words of commendation re- garding sweet clover in the several journals. That occasional cases of cattle and horses eating melilot clover may occur I do not doubt. Frequent statements to that effect may have been made, and I am always slow to impeach another's veracity in such case. Cattle and horses may be crowded by hunger to eat what Is really distasteful and unappetizing. In all such cases the food is of doubtful value. Again, melilot may be grown on exceptional soil, or under exceptional conditions which may be more appetizing. If this be true, we may believe it exceptional. Usually the quality of sweet clover does not attract any of our stock. I still be- lieve that melilot, while it is excellent for honey has little value as a forage plant. It has one other value. It is a legume, and so takes nitrogen from the air, through the aid of the nitrofying microbes. It is thus valuable for green manuring. I wisht much to find this plant valuable for hay and pasture. I have often seen it in pasture and by
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Keywords: ., bo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1860, booksubjectbees, bookyear1861
