Changes

When alfalfa first comes into bloom the flowers are bluish-purple and the fields have a bright cast. As the blossoms are pollinated the flowers fade and take on a grayish cast, making the field appear dull colored.

When alfalfa first comes into bloom the flowers are bluish-purple and the fields have a bright cast. As the blossoms are pollinated the flowers fade and take on a grayish cast, making the field appear dull colored.

Utah farmers were convinced that the bees were somehow damaging the blossoms, and persuaded the state [[legislature]] in 1930 to enact an [[embargo]] against bees entering the state from other states. Alfalfa seed yields from the fields declined so precipitously that the farmers were going bankrupt. The error was realized and the embargo rescinded in 1934; however Utah had  

Utah farmers were convinced that the bees were somehow damaging the blossoms, and persuaded the state [[legislature]] in 1930 to enact an [[embargo]] against bees entering the state from other states. Alfalfa seed yields from the fields declined so precipitously that the farmers were going bankrupt. The error was realized and the embargo rescinded in 1934; however Utah had forever lost its pre-eminent position as an alfalfa seed growing state, and California took the lead. After [[World War II]], demand for alfalfa seed reached an all-time high. Normally alfalfa is planted in rotation with other crops, because, as a [[legume]], it replenishes [[nitrogen]] in the soil. However, wartime needs had caused many alfalfa fields to be converted to  

forever lost its pre-eminent position as an alfalfa seed growing state, and California took the lead. After [[World War II]], demand for alfalfa seed reached an all-time high. Normally alfalfa is planted in rotation with other crops, because, as a [[legume]], it replenishes [[nitrogen]] in the soil. However, wartime needs had caused many alfalfa fields to be converted to  

[[vegetable]]s and other crops thought to be more necessary to the war effort. Now, the farmers were trying to repair the damage done to soils by replanting alfalfa.

[[vegetable]]s and other crops thought to be more necessary to the war effort. Now, the farmers were trying to repair the damage done to soils by replanting alfalfa.

Vansell and Whitcombe had become convinced by their observations that the optimum rate for honey production for beekeepers was not sufficient for optimum pollination and seed production. Whitcombe notes that he always observed the heaviest seed set in the plants that were nearest the stands of bees.

Vansell and Whitcombe had become convinced by their observations that the optimum rate for honey production for beekeepers was not sufficient for optimum pollination and seed production. Whitcombe notes that he always observed the heaviest seed set in the plants that were nearest the stands of bees.

Vansell was finally able to convince Luther G Jones, the alfalfa seed specialist at the [[University of California, Davis|agricultural college at Davis]], that further experiments in this

Vansell was finally able to convince Luther G Jones, the alfalfa seed specialist at the [[University of California, Davis|agricultural college at Davis]], that further experiments in this area would be profitable.  

area would be profitable.  

The plan was to stock some test fields at four to six hives per acre and see if the yield responded. It was called saturation pollination.

The plan was to stock some test fields at four to six hives per acre and see if the yield responded. It was called saturation pollination.