Random Notes
Vision Harvest is having a sale with books up to 60 % off.
We are happy to report the birth of Seneca Luke Schaap, who was born at home in Kansas. Seneca was named after his great-great-great-great grandfather, a reformed farmer. Old timers to this blog remember his mom, Puritian Mamma, was regular commenter here in the early days. He is a fine looking boy and we trust he will grow up to serve King Jesus with all his heart.
The weather here continues to be chilly. We are working hard to stay ahead of our chores and keep the fires burning. Winter didn’t start around here untill January, but when it came….boy did it come. I keep telling myself spring is coming, maple sugarin’ is right around the corner.
We are hoping to get started with bees this year. Anyone know of a really good book on beekeeping?
February 1st, 2007 at 4:14 pm
I picked up a beekeeping book at auction last Saturday. I’ll bring it to church Sunday if you want.
February 2nd, 2007 at 5:28 am
Thanks Dave, that would be great! I got the tires on the car so we should be there, Lord willing. I really need a church within walking distance
February 3rd, 2007 at 7:42 pm
I have a good friend whokept bees when he lived in the city quite successfully. He said I could borrow the books he has. I will try to contact him this week and get the titles and authors and let you know if I’m successful.
February 7th, 2007 at 7:18 am
Scott,
The books “ABCs and XYZs of Bee Culture” and “The Beekeepers Bible” were both recommended to me, but they are both relatively dated. AcresUSA has a couple of books that we are interested in, particularly “Toward Saving the Honeybee”. It is sad that as a child, just 25 years or so ago, you couldn’t take a step through the yard without disturbing a bee collecting pollen and yet today, I can almost count on one hand the number of honey bees I see in one week…. maybe month!
Matt
February 7th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Thanks Matt. I saw that one in Acres USA too, looks very good. Did you know that the honey bee is not native to North America? I just recently learned that and was suprised. The settlers brought them over from the “old country”.
February 8th, 2007 at 6:54 am
From what I understand (and I could be wrong, so someone correct me if I am) the European bees are the ones that are dying off, primarily due to mites. There is some experimentation with a Russian variety who is more immune to mites. This was as of late 90s, early 00s. The last I heard, the biggest challenge the scientists were having was trying to understand the signals the bees give to one another. Apparently, they only speak slavic! :o)