Bees from hive to branch to wooden hive

The bees are out enjoying all the dandelions from all the rain. This 1869 image depicts the "three classes of bees" and how the swarm leaves the beehive to "settle upon a limb" then placed in the wooden box. The author clearly was not allergic, boasting "no protection to face or hands."  Don't try this at home!

"It is instructive, as it shows the different form and size of the three classes of bees, so that any one, after studying this picture, need make no mistake.

It shows how a swarm issues from a hive and settles upon a limb of a neighboring tree, and how fearlessly the bee-keeper approaches the swarm and puts it in the hive, which he will cover up and carry to its place on the stand.

The author has frequently climbed to the top of a tree as high as this appears, and sawed off the limb upon which the swarm had alighted, and brought it down a long ladder to the hive, with no protection to face or hands. This picture, therefore, is intended to induce you to keep bees, and as a hint that you can easily learn all the art of bee-keeping."

Facts for Farmers: Also for the Family Circle. NY: 1869  ed by Solon Robinson

Hive and the Honey Bee is a great online collection at the Cornell University library - 48 books and the American Bee Journal 1861-1900. HERE

Past posts - tanging bees, buckwheat honey...

Bees - from “tanging” to French beekeepers wanting to block foreign honey HERE

Honey – from buckwheat honey gingerbread (French) to Lebkuchen and pickled pumpkin chips. HERE

World Bee Day is May 20.

©2020 Patricia Bixler Reber
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