Table of Contents
- First published in 1878, the information is still pertinent and useful
- Many beekeepers still use this as one of their primary references
- Topics include facts about the movable-comb hive, pollen or “bee bread”, ventilation of the hive, requisites of a complete hive, enemies and much more
- For the novice or experienced
- Langstroth, 5-1/4″ x 8-1/2″, 409 pp.
Title: Langstroth’s Hive and the Honey-Bee: The Classic Beekeeper’s Manual
Author: L. L. Langstroth
Publication Details: Published by Dover Publications on February 20, 2004
Book Overview:
“Langstroth’s Hive and the Honey-Bee: The Classic Beekeeper’s Manual” is a seminal work in the field of beekeeping. Authored by L. L. Langstroth, known as the father of modern beekeeping, this book has revolutionized the practice and is still considered a valuable resource today.
Content:
The book provides a comprehensive guide to beekeeping, covering a wide array of topics. It delves into the physiology of bees, their diseases and enemies, and the life-cycles of the queen, drone, and worker. It also discusses bee-hives and the handling of bees, providing valuable insights for both novice and experienced beekeepers.
The author’s patented invention, a movable frame hive, is explained and illustrated in the book. This innovation quickly spread into common use around the world and remains a standard in modern beekeeping.
The book also explores natural and artificial swarming, the production of honey and wax, and the best methods of feeding bees and maintaining an apiary.
Style and Format:
The book is written in a reader-friendly, non-technical style, making it accessible to a wide audience. The author’s enthusiasm for the subject matter is infectious, and the book is filled with practical and intriguing insights attained through years of observation and experience.
This version of Langstroth’s ever-popular manual is the fourth and final edition, incorporating the author’s own revisions. It has a total of 464 pages.
- Carter, Anthony (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 194 Pages - 02/28/2024 (Publication Date) - Independently published (Publisher)
Physical Details:
The book is a paperback edition with dimensions of 5.4 x 0.86 x 8.58 inches. The ISBN-10 is 0486433846 and the ISBN-13 is 978-0486433844.
Availability:
The book is in stock and available for purchase. It is eligible for free shipping with Amazon Prime and can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
- First published in 1878, the information is still pertinent and useful
- Many beekeepers still use this as one of their primary references
- Topics include facts about the movable-comb hive, pollen or “bee bread”, ventilation of the hive, requisites of a complete hive, enemies and much more
- For the novice or experienced
- Langstroth, 5-1/4″ x 8-1/2″, 409 pp.
My Opinion
Some books are timeless classics of the subject, with this 170-year-old book being perhaps foremost among them.
Moving away from the more squarely practical reference books to a book more of historical interest, this represents probably the most revolutionary work on beekeeping in history. L. L. Langstroth, its author, is not known as the father of modern beekeeping, who lent his name to the most widely used beehive, for nothing.
First appearing in 1853, Langstroth covers bee physiology, diseases, and techniques for the safe and efficient harvesting of honey and beeswax. The book manages, despite its age, to be actually useful to the novice beekeeper – not least because many of the theories and practical techniques that Langstroth pioneered have remained unchanged over the last century-and-a-half.
This book also outlines Langstroth’s design for the hive that to this day bears his name. It cannot be understated the extent to which Langstroth, with this single invention, revolutionized the beekeeping world. Even general readers of no apicultural experience will find this aspect of interest.
Also attractive to the general reader is Langstroth’s evident love of his subject and the creatures thereof – he often waxes lyrical about “the kindness of bees to one another” and “their infatuations with liquid sweets.”
Although it can hardly be called up to date information, Langstroth’s work remains a particularly useful resource for beekeepers. Used in conjunction with more modern materials, it makes for a worthwhile purchase.
For more of the best beekeeping books, just click on the link.
