Honey Bee Obscura Podcast

Plain Talk: Old Beekeeping Books (248)


Listen Later

In this episode of Honey Bee Obscura, Jim Tew shares his fascination with old beekeeping books, particularly a rare two-volume set titled Beekeeping, New and Old: Described with Pen and Camera by W. Herrod-Hempsall. Jim first found Volume 1 nearly 40 years ago in poor condition, but recently added the elusive Volume 2 to his collection. With nearly 2,600 pages combined, the books are a window into the forgotten history of beekeeping—covering skeps, hive designs, drumming, collateral hives, and hundreds of hive types now lost to time.

Jim explains why these texts matter: they remind us that beekeeping today is just a snapshot in a long continuum of human–bee interaction. He reflects on the sheer diversity of hive experiments before Langstroth’s design became standard, and how history shows both the ingenuity and the futility of trying to “perfect” beekeeping for humans rather than for bees.

To balance the nostalgia, Jim also highlights a modern favorite: Bees and Their Keepers by Swedish journalist Lotte Möller, a readable, thoughtful look at bees, culture, and human history. From ancient Roman complaints about bees to Brother Adam’s breeding work, Möller’s book provides an engaging counterpart to dusty tomes.

For Jim, these books—whether rare treasures or modern reflections—are not just curiosities. They are tools for writing, podcasting, and grounding today’s beekeeping in its rich and complicated past.

______________________

Thanks to Betterbee for sponsoring today's episode. Betterbee’s mission is to support every beekeeper with excellent customer service, continued education and quality equipment. From their colorful and informative catalog to their support of beekeeper educational activities, including this podcast series, Betterbee truly is Beekeepers Serving Beekeepers. See for yourself at www.betterbee.com

______________________

Honey Bee Obscura is brought to you by Growing Planet Media, LLC, the home of Beekeeping Today Podcast.

Music: Heart & Soul by Gyom, All We Know by Midway Music; Christmas Avenue by Immersive Music; original guitar music by Jeffrey Ott

Cartoons by: John Martin (Beezwax Comics)

Copyright © 2025 by Growing Planet Media, LLC

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Honey Bee Obscura PodcastBy Jim Tew

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

120 ratings


More shows like Honey Bee Obscura Podcast

View all
The Beekeeper's Corner Beekeeping Podcast by Kevin Inglin

The Beekeeper's Corner Beekeeping Podcast

229 Listeners

The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy by Jill McSheehy

The Beginner's Garden with Jill McSheehy

807 Listeners

PolliNation Podcast by Oregon State University Extension

PolliNation Podcast

150 Listeners

Beekeeping - Short and Sweet by Stewart Spinks

Beekeeping - Short and Sweet

57 Listeners

Beekeeping Today Podcast by Jeff Ott, Becky Masterman

Beekeeping Today Podcast

294 Listeners

Beekeeping at FiveApple by Leigh Wilkerson

Beekeeping at FiveApple

173 Listeners

The Hive Jive - Beekeeping Podcast by John Swan

The Hive Jive - Beekeeping Podcast

110 Listeners

Two Bees in a Podcast by UF/IFAS Honey Bee Lab

Two Bees in a Podcast

224 Listeners

Beekeeping For Newbees by Beekeeping For Newbees

Beekeeping For Newbees

133 Listeners

Hobby Beekeeping by Henry J. Svec

Hobby Beekeeping

4 Listeners

2 Million Blossoms - The Podcast by Kirsten Traynor

2 Million Blossoms - The Podcast

18 Listeners

Mind Your Hives Beekeeping by Greg and Kara Jo Lehman

Mind Your Hives Beekeeping

51 Listeners

Teach Me Bees by Honey4Hope

Teach Me Bees

14 Listeners

Mysteries of Honey Bees by David Burns

Mysteries of Honey Bees

17 Listeners

Beekeeping Buddies by Luke Harvey

Beekeeping Buddies

1 Listeners

Bee Love Beekeeping... presented by Mann Lake by Eric Bennett

Bee Love Beekeeping... presented by Mann Lake

15 Listeners