Beemaster's International Beekeeping Forum

BEEKEEPING LEARNING CENTER => EQUIPMENT USAGE, EXPERIMENTATION, HIVE PLANS, CONSTRUCTION TIPS AND TOOLS => Topic started by: JackM on October 27, 2011, 09:38:56 AM

Title: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: JackM on October 27, 2011, 09:38:56 AM
I currently have "The Backyard Beekeeper."  Looking for a beekeeping 'bible' of sorts, one that takes into account all facets of all the different factors of keeping, non judgemental.   Could be super old publication with up to date editing for current beek needs.  Would not mind knowing anatomy and physiology of bee, with figures/pics.

So lets hear what you think is the best for the money out there.  ....   Well, Michael Bush's book for free online is the best deal I have had so far....thanks Mike, do have to say I have read it all and learned a great deal and thought because of what I read.  I think it is a must for every beginner.  So we can leave his publication off the list.

Have a fun day
Title: Re: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: Intheswamp on October 27, 2011, 09:44:20 AM
The ABC & XYZ of Bee Culture
Title: Re: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: derekm on October 27, 2011, 04:29:01 PM
honeybee democracy
Title: Re: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: nella on October 27, 2011, 05:35:07 PM
Beemaster.com
Title: Re: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: JackM on October 27, 2011, 09:24:07 PM
Quote from: nella on October 27, 2011, 05:35:07 PM
Beemaster.com

Yep that is pretty good but hard to take to the private reading room.
Title: Re: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: BlueBee on October 28, 2011, 03:35:57 AM
Quote from: derekm on October 27, 2011, 04:29:01 PM
honeybee democracy
In Democracy, did the bees have an option to pick a 3 inch thick PU hive with a bottom mesh :-D
Title: Re: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: JackM on October 28, 2011, 09:33:40 AM
I bet they waded thru tea leaves too  :lol:
Title: Re: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: RayMarler on October 30, 2011, 12:38:18 AM
The Hive And The Honey Bee
by L.L.Langstroth, from Dadant publications.
Title: Re: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: rail on October 30, 2011, 09:42:48 AM
"Mysteries of Bee-Keeping Explained"  Moses Quinby
Title: Re: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: derekm on October 30, 2011, 06:23:05 PM
Quote from: BlueBee on October 28, 2011, 03:35:57 AM
Quote from: derekm on October 27, 2011, 04:29:01 PM
honeybee democracy
In Democracy, did the bees have an option to pick a 3 inch thick PU hive with a bottom mesh :-D
Unfortunately they didint , I  think giving the bees an option on wall thickness would have been interesting. And I think the author of the book  thinks it might interesting too...  :)
Title: Re: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: BlueBee on October 31, 2011, 01:54:46 AM
Maybe Prof Seeley will have to come up with a new book called Honeybee Economics  to cover the bees energy tradeoffs with the homes they select?  A thick PU hive or a thin wood hive affects how much of their currency (honey) they have to spend on heating and cooling, right?   :)
Title: Re: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: JackM on October 31, 2011, 10:20:55 AM
I picked up the ABC XYZ book Saturday.  Like an encyclopedia, I like it.  Individual topics alphabetically with some really good explanations and bibliographic documentation too so you can follow if you wish. 

I have a friend named Quinby he is looking to see if any relations.
Title: Re: Your one favorite beek reference
Post by: Intheswamp on October 31, 2011, 11:13:25 AM
By the criteria that you noted I figured you'd like that book.

Michael Bush's "The Practical Beekeeper" is a good one, too.  You can find most of his material on his website, but being able to sit down with a book is nice. ;)

Another book is "First Lessons In Beekeeping" published by Dadant.  This is a small book, but is written well and has some great information inside.  I have an older (199?) edition.

In a larger book, I'm awaiting the next edition of "The Hive and the Honey Bee", also published by Dadant.

I've been also please with Roger Morse's writings.

Anything by Richard Taylor is good, but hard to find.

Lots of older books are treasure troves of information but unfortunately most of those old books did not have to deal with mites or beetles so you have to read them with that understood.  But, still, good information can be found in them.  Searching google books can turn up lots of these out-of-print books.  Michael Bush has a few of them on his website.

Best wishes,
Ed