From DRAEGER@WINROCK.ORG Thu Mar 10 12:02:20 1994 Date: Thu, 10 Mar 1994 9:30:35 -0600 (CST) From: DRAEGER@WINROCK.ORG To: SANET-MG@ces.ncsu.edu Subject: Bees/Vetch and the scientific process The honey bee-vetch connection!! I have a "testimonial" that I can back up with scientific principles and literature. Some years ago the local electrical company worked up a hillside on our land. This left a barren and very erosion prone hill side, in addition the top soil had been removed over the large part of the area. We tried to counter the erosion physically with litter cover and also planted the area to vetch. After a couple of unsuccessful seasons trying to cultivate vetch I established bee colonies in the immediate vicinity. The results were amazing. The vetch took off across the hill side within a couple of seasons. As a soils scientist working with biological nitrogen fixation, I did not immediately make the connection between the prolific growth of the vetch and the bee colonies. Some months later I read in Duke, (1981) "vetches are insect-pollinated, and bee hives near each field ensure pollination of flowers and increase seed yields." So for people trying to establish vetch as a cover crop, for hay, silage or pasture, bees colonies can make a significant difference in your yield. Besides, if you have the land, bees are a fascinating and productive addition to any farming system. Now that I have provided a technical tidbit for the last few people posting who want "METHODS" I would like to comment on the one track thought process of some scientists who speak of statistics, techniques etc... and how narrow definition is affecting our reputation with the public. Fellow Scientists! We are losing the respect and confidence of the public!! I'm not saying that we have to lead a PR campaign and I know that scientists are stereotypically socially inept, but we have to validate the experiences and testimonials of those who are LIVING WITH THE REALITY WHILE WE ARE TESTING THE HYPOTHESIS! I am speaking of agricultural sciences now (obviously not astronomy!). I see that we are having a battle of who will emerge the authority in sustainable agriculture. Many scientist don't realize that this is the public domain, that there are individuals, non-profit organizations, private sector businesses etc... who are leading the way in this movement. And many of them feel that science got us into the mess we are in. So we need to work together, to understand the overarching issues that are the combination of biological, physical, and social. That, in my opinion is the role I see SANET playing in facilitating the dialogue (or multilogue). So be nice and get along! Respect other opinions and try to see the grains of scientific truth and frame scientific questions (the true root of science) in the larger context! Kathy Draeger These are still my opinions and possibly those of other, but not necessarily those of my institute of employment.