D. Murrell
01-28-2007, 09:17 PM
Hi Guys,
The Inner Cover section in the Feb 07 Bee Culture is an interesting read.
The internet and Beesource in particular has been instrumental in providing a forum where most of the brethren can gather and share ideas and observations.
Not every idea or speculation has panned out. But those of us who now keep bees, in a way others still only dream about, are indebted to those early efforts and observations. There's a fairly good roll call of those people on the Beesource POV pages.
And I'm personally indebted to those who have taken the time to share their observations with me. I learned much through these kinds of discussions. I learned much when my observations conflicted with my training and expectations. But I've learned the most when challenged by those whose observations differed from mine.
Ten years ago, I couldn't have imaged keeping bees the way I do now. And now I just can't imagine why anyone would continue to keep bees the way I did ten years ago. But the majority of beekeepers still do. And their problems continue to get worse, just like they got worse for me when I kept bees that way. I wonder if it's an American flaw that produces a kind of thinking that's says if what were doing isn't working, we must not be trying hard enough. Maybe it's a distorted form of work ethic?
It interesting to note that when a beekeeper's bees are healthy, thriving and productive, he has alot more time and energy to pursue other aspects of beekeeping than just treatments and survival.
Some, like my self, have tried to discover the whys and improve the process somewhat. Others are involved in breeding feral bees, selling queens,or typing a gazillion posts to help others understand, etc.
These beekeepers are far beyond the 'if it works stage'. And that aspect doesn't concern them much. I hope the rest of beekeeping gets it. Or the last few sentences of that article will probably be all too true.
Regards
Dennis
The Inner Cover section in the Feb 07 Bee Culture is an interesting read.
The internet and Beesource in particular has been instrumental in providing a forum where most of the brethren can gather and share ideas and observations.
Not every idea or speculation has panned out. But those of us who now keep bees, in a way others still only dream about, are indebted to those early efforts and observations. There's a fairly good roll call of those people on the Beesource POV pages.
And I'm personally indebted to those who have taken the time to share their observations with me. I learned much through these kinds of discussions. I learned much when my observations conflicted with my training and expectations. But I've learned the most when challenged by those whose observations differed from mine.
Ten years ago, I couldn't have imaged keeping bees the way I do now. And now I just can't imagine why anyone would continue to keep bees the way I did ten years ago. But the majority of beekeepers still do. And their problems continue to get worse, just like they got worse for me when I kept bees that way. I wonder if it's an American flaw that produces a kind of thinking that's says if what were doing isn't working, we must not be trying hard enough. Maybe it's a distorted form of work ethic?
It interesting to note that when a beekeeper's bees are healthy, thriving and productive, he has alot more time and energy to pursue other aspects of beekeeping than just treatments and survival.
Some, like my self, have tried to discover the whys and improve the process somewhat. Others are involved in breeding feral bees, selling queens,or typing a gazillion posts to help others understand, etc.
These beekeepers are far beyond the 'if it works stage'. And that aspect doesn't concern them much. I hope the rest of beekeeping gets it. Or the last few sentences of that article will probably be all too true.
Regards
Dennis