Is the book, "Beekeeping For All" by Abbe Warre a good reference?
Where is the best place to purchase the book?
Charles
Charles,
You can download it here -> http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,32860.0.html (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,32860.0.html)
Also, the Thur article is also a very interesting read.
rob....
Quote from: rail on May 11, 2011, 08:05:06 PM
Is the book, "Beekeeping For All" by Abbe Warre a good reference?
Where is the best place to purchase the book?
Charles
Good reference? Depends on what your looking for. A guy who wrote about a system of keeping bees that had none of the problems we see today? Then Yes. A book that is written by just another self promoting person selling his opinion of how he thinks you should keep bees? Then Yes.
Read the book. Then talk to those that actually keep Warre hives, or those who HAD kept Warre hives. I get many emails from those that started a Warre hive and had come to the same conclusions as I have.
My experiences are here:
http://www.bjornapiaries.com/warrehivebeekeeping.html (http://www.bjornapiaries.com/warrehivebeekeeping.html)
Quote from: BjornBee on May 11, 2011, 11:06:13 PM
A guy who wrote about a system of keeping bees that had none of the problems we see today?
I guess the same could be said about Langstroth, CC Miller, Dadant, etc....
Quote from: BjornBee on May 11, 2011, 11:06:13 PM
A book that is written by just another self promoting person selling his opinion of how he thinks you should keep bees?
And I guess that could be said about any author.
Charles,
Like everything in beekeeping, you will find folks with strong opinions on both sides. You need to read up on it and make your own decisions on what you feel is the right things to incorporate into your beekeeping methods. I definitely think reading the two documents I linked above are worth your time. Even if you find nothing compelling, they bring up topics that are not discussed in modern day books that you may never have thought about.
There have been discussions here in the forum as well that you might find helpful
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,31618.0.html (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,31618.0.html)
http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,32165.0.html (http://forum.beemaster.com/index.php/topic,32165.0.html)
If your a reader, another interesting read is "
At the Hive Entrance" by H. Storck
Rob,
Thank you for the references! Yes, I like to read, too understand all view points of a subject. I often find keys (open a train of thought for problem solving) to a practice from multiple resources!!!
Charles
If you plan to follow his theories, yes.
Quote from: Michael Bush on May 12, 2011, 10:30:26 AM
If you plan to follow his theories, yes.
Michael,
Can there be a balance (equipment usage, individual traits and "health of bees") for a region (location) from the marriage of methodology and practice? Warre, Langstroth and other forefathers worked with nature in different regions and adapted to the needs of the colony?
You have found that top entrances work well for you in that region of the states?
Charles
Warre (Pronounced Wa-ree) and Langstroth both made major discoveries relating to beekeeping and we wouldn't have modern beekeeping without them but both made one error.
Hive Size.
Warre designed his too small, but closer to ideal, while Langstroth made his too long.
If how bees work comb is observed over time it will show that bees have tw0 depths at which they'll naturally draw comb to and end it without attactment to another surface. They will also draw straight foundationless comb for a given length and then it will begin to angle away.
Anyone who has used 8 Frame equipment should observe over time just how more effective and efficient it is over a 10 frame hive as far as brood chamber, and overwintering are concerned. A 10 frame hive was a commercial consideration, just as 5.4 comb was. The thinking was bigger is better, which is not always true.
Use of what is natural for bees leads to a hive with the inside dimensions of 12WX14LX8.5D.
Bees will draw straight combs withou foundation for 12.5 inches before bending the run if given a guide (top bar wedge) and they will stop drawing comb at a depth of either 7 3/4 inches or 13.5 inches. Therefore the ideal hive size has a frame foundation size of 13X8, the extra space leaves room for the frame and beespace. The boxes should be made either 8.75 or 14.0 deep to give beespace above and below the frames.
A 12 inch inside width provides for 8 frames of current dimensions of 1 3/8 inches or 9 frames of 1 1/4 inches.
Quote from: Robo on May 12, 2011, 09:13:23 AM
If your a reader, another interesting read is "At the Hive Entrance" by H. Storck
I have looked for this book everywhere with no luck. It was recommended to me by another beek a few months ago. Good luck in your search for it if you decide to read it.
James
Brian, please explain this one. Each comb was 24 inches wide, 4 to 6 foot deep, all natural comb.
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/Iddee/removals/S3600221.jpg)
>Can there be a balance (equipment usage, individual traits and "health of bees") for a region (location) from the marriage of methodology and practice? Warre, Langstroth and other forefathers worked with nature in different regions and adapted to the needs of the colony?
The problem with a "marriage of methodology" is that often a system is just that-- a system. Taking parts of one system and combining them with another often does not work because it's the "whole" that works.
http://bushfarms.com/beessytems.htm (http://bushfarms.com/beessytems.htm)
>You have found that top entrances work well for you in that region of the states?
They work well for me.
http://bushfarms.com/beestopentrance.htm (http://bushfarms.com/beestopentrance.htm)
http://bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#topentrance (http://bushfarms.com/beeslazy.htm#topentrance)
Quote from: jmblakeney on May 12, 2011, 10:51:51 PM
Quote from: Robo on May 12, 2011, 09:13:23 AM
If your a reader, another interesting read is "At the Hive Entrance" by H. Storck
I have looked for this book everywhere with no luck. It was recommended to me by another beek a few months ago. Good luck in your search for it if you decide to read it.
James
Betterbee use to sell it, but their new website is useless. I no longer waste my time frustrating myself trying to use it.
Quote from: iddee on May 12, 2011, 11:12:37 PM
Brian, please explain this one. Each comb was 24 inches wide, 4 to 6 foot deep, all natural comb.
(http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j226/Iddee/removals/S3600221.jpg)
Bees will fill a void as long as it was of acceptable size to begin with my question is, which I can't tell from the fuzzy picture, was how straight were the combs. I've seen hives in walls that ran comb more than 8 continuous feet but it looked like a wave.
Also in a wall cavity there is usually not a break such as with a hive, which was the conversation Warre Hives.
seeing hives in walls like this has always made me question the "too much space" principle. but I still follow it.
Too much space only counts in SHB territory. and when there is a dearth going on. Otherwise, it doesn't apply.
Speaking of spaces; the distance between the top bars of the Warre Hive are 12mm (.4724") and the Langstroth 3/8" (9.5mm).
Bee Space; 1/4" to 3/8" or up to 1/2" ???
Charles
Quote from: jmblakeney on May 12, 2011, 10:51:51 PM
Quote from: Robo on May 12, 2011, 09:13:23 AM
If your a reader, another interesting read is "At the Hive Entrance" by H. Storck
I have looked for this book everywhere with no luck. It was recommended to me by another beek a few months ago. Good luck in your search for it if you decide to read it.
James
James,
Here is a link to the book.
http://www.groovycart.co.uk/cart.php?c=533&p=29821&buy=Storch+-+At+the+Hive+Entrance (http://www.groovycart.co.uk/cart.php?c=533&p=29821&buy=Storch+-+At+the+Hive+Entrance)
Charles
Just teasing, Brian
Quote from: rail on May 14, 2011, 02:13:23 PM
Speaking of spaces; the distance between the top bars of the Warre Hive are 12mm (.4724") and the Langstroth 3/8" (9.5mm).
Bee Space; 1/4" to 3/8" or up to 1/2" ???
Charles
Bee space is 1/4 to 1/2 inch every place except the entrances, then it can be 3/4 inch or more.
Beespace is 1/4" to 3/8". On the bottom of the hive it can be as much as 7/8" with no issues.
Quote from: jmblakeney on May 12, 2011, 10:51:51 PM
Quote from: Robo on May 12, 2011, 09:13:23 AM
If your a reader, another interesting read is "At the Hive Entrance" by H. Storck
I have looked for this book everywhere with no luck. It was recommended to me by another beek a few months ago. Good luck in your search for it if you decide to read it.
James
James,
I ordered "At the Hive Entrance" from (groovycart.co.uk) and received it in a timely manner. Did you find a copy?
Charles