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The History of Beekeepingand

Some Historical Beekeepers

North Alabama Beekeepers SymposiumAugust 2014

Roger Owens

The History of Beekeeping

“In my years of study and fascination with honeybees, I am always reminded from time to time there is always something new to learn or discover. Maybe that is how it is with nature. But the more I study the work of beekeepers that preceded us, the more I believe they had this figured out.”

Roger Owens 2013

Beekeeper


How far back does mans relationship with honeybees go? This picture of a cave painting in a cave located in Spain has been dated at 7,000 B.C. But many have been found around the world.


Honey Bees trapped in Amber

A Fossil of a Honey Bee

The Honeybee has been around for a along time as indicated by the fossils and bees trapped in amber.


The Egyptians documented in their tombs and buildings the importance of the honeybee in

there society.


The Egyptians used horizontal clay vessels to keep Honeybees.


Natural built Honeybee Colonies


In ancient times, the colony was destroyed during the harvesting of honey and wax. Sometime in the past, ancient beekeepers learned to used smoke to push the bees deep into the hive, and extract just the comb containing honey. Leaving the broad comb, so the colony could rebuild and survive.

Roman Apiary.


Antique Beekeeping Equipment


Honey Bee Skep


Lorenzo Langstroth invented the removable frame hive, thereby making commercial beekeeping possible as we know it today. When he was ask how he came up with his invention, he responded with the following comment.“It was all made possible by a simple

observation by an observant individual.”


Modern Day Hive Equipment

Langstroth, WBC, Long Box, Warr’e Hive, Top Bar, British National Hive, Commercial, Perone, Darlington Long Deeps, etc………..


Circa 1930’s Beekeeper and Equipment

Early on, Beekeepers were mostly farmers, that keep bees on their farm to pollinate crops and to use the honey for baking, as a sweetener, and wax for candles. They used what ever wooden material they had available to make their bee equipment, and they were very resourceful.


Interesting Facts about Honey

What is Surplus Honey?

Many beekeepers remove what honey they consider surplus honey in late summer or early autumn. This practice began in the late 19th century. Until then, beekeepers left all the honey on the hive until the spring nectar flow was underway.


Interesting Info about Comb The size of natural cells range from 4.8 – 5.4 mm

in diameter. This varies between geographic areas, and according to those who kept such records the overall size has not changed from the 1600’s until the present time. The smallest cell diameters are seen at seal level nearest the equator, and increases with the distance toward cooler climates and higher altitudes. Of course the bee races also have influence as well.


Natural Comb Cells Natural built Vertical Comb Cells

Natural built Horizontal Comb Cells


The State of Beekeeping and the Environment


Pesticides are dangerous for Humans

and Honeybees

To lodge a complaint for label violation – adverse incidents contact the following:Alabama Agriculture and Industries334.240.7242

Alabama Department of Environmental Management334.271.7700


Migratory Beekeeping

What is wrong with this picture?


The Dangers of hauling Honeybees by truck.

Should Honeybees even be moved except at night? Authorities first response is to protect the public, and reopen roadways. Usually the bees are destroyed as a result.Migratory Beekeeping


An interesting way to move Honey Bees and take advantage of blooming plants and trees along river banks and bottom land. Many cultures around the world use this method.

Migratory Beekeeping


Mono-Culture

Is Mono-Culture helping or hurting our

Honey Bees?


Migratory Beekeeping Holding Yards

This is typically what happens to bee colonies after the pollination season is over. What do you see wrong with this area?

Do you believe this is good management practice?


Plant Diversity

Honey Bees use Nectar of flowers for carbohydrates, and Pollen as their Protein source in their diet. Since flowers have different pollen make ups , it would stand to reason that Bees would be healthier with a diverse diet of pollen sources.


What will happen if we don’t stop the Honey Bee Decline?

The Honey bees primary function is to pollinate plants, not honey production. Even with all the pest such as Mites, Small Hive Beetle and others, the major contributor to honey bee decline is Biocides, and Management Practices.


“The skills that a person needs to succeed in Beekeeping is to pay close attention to details, while developing the habits of …………

Observation, Contemplation, and Implementation

Roger Owens 2010

Beekeeper

Historical Beekeepers

Lorenzo Langstroth

Nephi Miller

Harry J. Whitcombe

Frank C. Pellett

Dr. C.C. Miller

Rachael CarsonJim Bunch

Honorable MentionWeaver Apiaries

Wilbanks Apiaries

Harry Laidlaw Jr.

A.I. Root

Karl Von Frisch

Rossman Apiaries Dadant


Dr. C.C. Miller

“ A born Beekeeper never loses his enthusiasm.”“ If everything in the business of beekeeping were fully settled, and we know before hand just exactly the right step to take in any given case there wouldn’t be nearly as much fun in it.”Author of “Fifty years among the Bees”.


A.I. Root

Published “Gleaning in Bee Culture along with “ABC of Bee Culture” in 1879.


Karl Von Frisch

His work centered on investigations of the sensory perceptions of the honey bee and he was one of the first to translate the meaning of the waggle dance. His theory was disputed by other scientists and greeted with skepticism at the time. Only recently was it definitively proven to be an accurate theoretical analysis.


Nephi Miller

In 1905 Nephi Miller coined the phrase “Migratory Beekeeping”. Although it means nothing like the Migratory Beekeeping of today. “I learned at an early age that research, learning, and application of natural principles could make my efforts fruitful.” Founded Miller Honey Company in Utah, and is still operated today by his family.


Frank C. Pellett

“Understanding of the relationship of cause and effect”. “When on becomes to fully understand all that is represented in the combs, he is well on his way to success”. “Every locality will present peculiar problems of its own which must be recognized by the successful beekeeper.”

“Beekeeping requires careful attention to details.”

Authored many books, like “American Honey Plants”, “Practical Queen Rearing”, “A Living from Bees”, and was Iowa’s first Bee Inspector.


Harry Laidlaw Jr.

He was interested in bee breeding and worked with his grandfather, Charles Quinn. They experimented with mating queen bees and control breeding and developed what became know as the Quinn-Laidlaw hand-mating method.

Laidlaw published his classic text “Queen Rearing” in 1950.

Known as “the father of honey bee

genetics”.


Harry J. Whitcombe

Life long Beekeeper, and a pioneer in the study of pollination, and was a leader in the fight against DDT. Successfully transported and supplied Honey Bees using his own aircraft, not trains. Author of “Bees are my business” published in 1955, described his life as a beekeeper, and the growth of his business.

Early 1960’s beehives headed to California

Jim Bunch and his father Len early 1920’s

Jim Bunch operated a 28,000 colony operations from the mid 1940’s until his death at 82 years old.


Jim Bunch


“If we are going to live so intimately with these we chemicals – eating and drinking them, taking them into the very marrow of our bones – we had better know something about their nature and power”

Rachael Carson

The History of Beekeepingand

Some Historical Beekeepers

North Alabama Beekeepers SymposiumAugust 2014

Roger Owens

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