Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
CHAPTER 9
A Master Class in Beekeeping
Each member of the Back Yard Beekeepers Association is proud of their own apiary,
whether small or grand, and enjoys showing off their gardens and honeybees to fellow
beekeepers. During my first year of beekeeping there were many occasions to visit other
seasoned beekeepers and even help with their hive duties. Early on in my beekeeping
apprenticeship, I was personally invited to spend a full day with a member of our club.
I earnestly accepted, knowing that this experience would be valuable. So with my bee-
keeping veil and jacket in hand, I left the house at 8:30 a.m. to begin work punctually at
9.
An active member of our bee club, William was a stocky and serious man who had
been beekeeping for many years. Because he was always impeccably dressed in a full
suitandtie,completewithcufflinksandatiepinthatgavehimanold-worlddemeanor,it
wasalmostunimaginabletomethatWilliamcoulddressdownandactuallygethishands
dirty enough to keep bees. And yet, his backyard, his own private sanctuary, was home
tosomethirtyhives,aswellasrabbits,wildbirds,andducks.Theyardsatontheedgeof
a sparkling, manmade pond, both of which made for a breathtaking view from his home.
William's wife, Margie, was a dark-haired, quiet woman, and although she did not take
care of the honeybees, she made wonderful crafts and products using the beeswax her
husband gathered from their hives.
WhenIarrivedattheirhouseontypicalclammysummerdayinthemiddleofAugust,
little did I know that we would be opening and inspecting every single one of Willi-
am's thirty beehives! August, in our region, is the time to evaluate the hives and begin
preparing them for winter. When I arrived, Margie greeted me at the door and led me
throughtheair-conditionedhousetothebackyard.AlongthewayIspiedalltypesofbee
crafts and collectibles. Various bee-themed needlepoint pillows, honeypots, and tiny bee
statuettes embellished their home.
“Good morning,” I greeted William from their back porch. William peeked his head
outfrominsidehisshed,whichservedasahoneyhouse.“Areyoureadyforafulldayin
the beeyard?” he asked. I smiled and followed him around the other side of the pond to a
hidden trail that led through the woods and into the beeyard. There, among the trees, sat
William's prized honeybee hives. He told me he had visited beekeepers in other coun-
triesandlearnedsomenewtechniques ofhivemanagement nottaughthereintheUnited
States. Each of his wooden beehives looked remarkably different from my own beehive.
These were not simple Langstroth-style hives. Custom made and imported from Europe,
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