These are well-known books -- I've read Constructive Beekeeping a couple of times and am still trying to understand just how ventilation works, especially given contradictory findings about entrance placement (Beesource says the entrance should be at the top based on a 1978 publication while Seely says the bottom is preferred). The relationship of ventilation and insulation, though, seem quite pertinent regardless where you live -- I am in north central FL, and while we do get cold temps and wild swings in the winter, the biggest constant is humidity. I am going to try a new build (TBH) using ply and foam insulation to see if it will create a more constant interior environment.
At the Hive Entrance has been helpful, and I need to re-read it. However it can also be deceptive. This past spring, I lost two splits when queens died (or failed to mate?), and even after re-queening, failed to thrive. At the entrance, though, all seemed normal. This is something I need to re-visit.
I am currently reading Maeterlinck's book. It is very interesting. Not instructional, but a philosophical way of looking at bees that appears to be written in response to "scientific" studies (not sure about this exactly). Maeterlinck is not a "spiritual science" advocate (like Steiner), but is definitely infatuated and amazed by bees -- it is a kind of love letter to beekeeping, driven by a spiritual intuition while not advocating for a particular faith. In fact, Maeterlinck goes to great lengths not to mention a "Creator"; instead, he appears to be advocating for a kind of superorganism-driven "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" kind of understanding of bee nature. The writing is certainly old-fashioned, and occasionally tortuous, but is also careful and appreciative, making for an interesting read. The book is currently free on Amazon, too!
Just want to say how cool this forum is! I've read a few books on the histories of beekeeping, and if I can ever get my hand on Eva Crane's Archeology of Beekeeping, I'd be very happy!
http://www.biobees.com/library/general_beekeeping/beekeeping_books_articles/ConstructiveBeekeeping_EdClarke.pdf
http://www.biobees.com/library/general_beekeeping/beekeeping_books_articles/At%20the%20Hive%20Entrance.pdf
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Bee-Maurice-Maeterlinck-ebook/dp/B004TQVKKK/
At the Hive Entrance has been helpful, and I need to re-read it. However it can also be deceptive. This past spring, I lost two splits when queens died (or failed to mate?), and even after re-queening, failed to thrive. At the entrance, though, all seemed normal. This is something I need to re-visit.
I am currently reading Maeterlinck's book. It is very interesting. Not instructional, but a philosophical way of looking at bees that appears to be written in response to "scientific" studies (not sure about this exactly). Maeterlinck is not a "spiritual science" advocate (like Steiner), but is definitely infatuated and amazed by bees -- it is a kind of love letter to beekeeping, driven by a spiritual intuition while not advocating for a particular faith. In fact, Maeterlinck goes to great lengths not to mention a "Creator"; instead, he appears to be advocating for a kind of superorganism-driven "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts" kind of understanding of bee nature. The writing is certainly old-fashioned, and occasionally tortuous, but is also careful and appreciative, making for an interesting read. The book is currently free on Amazon, too!
Just want to say how cool this forum is! I've read a few books on the histories of beekeeping, and if I can ever get my hand on Eva Crane's Archeology of Beekeeping, I'd be very happy!
http://www.biobees.com/library/general_beekeeping/beekeeping_books_articles/ConstructiveBeekeeping_EdClarke.pdf
http://www.biobees.com/library/general_beekeeping/beekeeping_books_articles/At%20the%20Hive%20Entrance.pdf
http://www.amazon.com/Life-Bee-Maurice-Maeterlinck-ebook/dp/B004TQVKKK/