History of Beekeeping. David Arnal Aiken Journeyman Class 2016

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1 History of Beekeeping David Arnal Aiken Journeyman Class

2 The History of Beekeeping and Some Historical Beekeepers By David Arnal, Director SCBA Master Beekeeper Program Aiken Journeyman Class April 23, 2016 Adapted from a presentation by Roger Owens, that was originally presented at the North Alabama Beekeepers Symposium 2014

3 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 (penchant for discovery) figured out. Roger Owens 2013 Beekeeper

4 The History of Beekeeping Fossil Records Honeybees trapped in Amber The Honeybee has been on Earth around for millions of years as indicated by the fossil record and bees trapped in amber. A Fossil of a Honey Bee

5 The History of Beekeeping Honey Hunting How far back does mans relationship with honeybees go? The picture to the left is a cave painting located in Spain has been dated at 7,000 B.C. Many cave paintings have been found around the world i.e. Neolithic image from India (bottom right).

6 The History of Beekeeping Honey Hunting today Modern day Honey Hunting along cliffs in Nepal for Apis dorsata honeycombs

7 The History of Beekeeping Honey Hunting today Modern day Honey Hunting in Cameroon, Africa

8 The History of Beekeeping Cavity Nest Builders The Honeybee Nest as built in Nature Cavity nest builders

9 The History of Beekeeping - Egyptians The Egyptians documented in their tombs and buildings the importance of the honey bee in their society.

10 The History of Beekeeping - Egyptians The Egyptians used horizontal clay vessels to keep Honeybees.

11 The History of Beekeeping - Romans Roman Apiary. 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 brood comb, so the colony could rebuild and survive.

12 The History of Beekeeping Russian Tree Beekeeping

13 The History of Beekeeping African Log Hives & TBHs

14 The History of Beekeeping Skep Beekeeping Antique Beekeeping Equipment

15 The History of Beekeeping Skep Beekeeping Honeybee Skep

16 The History of Beekeeping Bees in North America The honeybee is not native to North America. It was introduced into continental North America in 1566 by Spanish colonists at the Santa Elena settlement in Port Royal Sound on Parris Island, South Carolina. Honeybees were established as far as 200 miles inland by the time Jamestown, Virginia was settled in 1607.

17 The History of Beekeeping The Modern movable-frame hive Lorenzo Langstroth invented the removable frame hive, thereby making commercial beekeeping possible as we know it today. When he was asked 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.

18 The History of Beekeeping Box Hives 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 the beeswax for candles. They used what ever wooden material they had available to make their bee equipment, and they were very resourceful. Circa 1930 s Beekeeper & Plank-type Box Hives

19 The History of Beekeeping Langstroth Hive The Langstroth hive revolutionized beekeeping, heralding a major change in management systems. For example, instead of encouraging swarming to increase colony numbers, beekeepers discouraged swarming & used nucs and packages for increase.

20 The History of Beekeeping - 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.

21 The History of Beekeeping Migratory Beekeeping

22 The History of Beekeeping U.S. Agriculture s Migrant Workers

23 The History of Beekeeping Bee Culture Magazine Cover The State of Beekeeping and the Environment

24 The History of Beekeeping A Toxic Agricultural Environment The Honey bees primary function in nature is to pollinate plants. Bees deal with pests such as Varroa Mites, Small Hive Beetles (SHB) and others. But another pair of contributors to honey bee decline include Biocides & Poor Management Practices. What will happen if we toxify our environment like China?

25 The History of Beekeeping Hand-pollination in China

26 Some Historical Beekeepers Harry J. Whitcombe Dr. C.C. Miller Nephi Miller Frank C. Pellett Rachael Carson Jim Bunch Lorenzo Langstroth A.I. Root Karl Von Frisch G.M. Doolittle Harry Laidlaw Jr.

27 Historical Beekeepers 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. Dr. C.C. Miller

28 Historical Beekeepers Published Gleanings in Bee Culture along with ABC XYZ of Bee Culture in Based in Medina, Ohio A.I. Root

29 Historical Beekeepers 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. Karl Von Frisch

30 Historical Beekeepers 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. Nephi Miller

31 Historical Beekeepers Understanding of the relationship of cause and effect When one 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. Frank C. Pellett

32 Known as the father of honey bee genetics. Historical Beekeepers He was interested in bee breeding and worked with his grandfather, Charles Quinn. They experimented with mating queen bees, controlled breeding and developed what became know as the Quinn-Laidlaw hand-mating method. Laidlaw published his classic text Queen Rearing in Harry Laidlaw Jr.

33 Historical Beekeepers 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, which describes his life as a beekeeper, and the growth of his business. Harry J. Whitcombe

34 Historical Beekeepers Early 1960 s beehives headed to California Jim Bunch operated a 28,000 colony operations from the mid 1940 s until his death at 82 years old. Jim Bunch Jim Bunch and his father Len early 1920 s

35 Historical Beekeepers 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