Mating

[Dusty Rhodes]

Ted Hooper's book is good but it's too heavy a read for a beginner.

Not at all!

I used it as my primary reading source - and many others do also.


Such a definitive statement is unwarranted.



Dusty

 

[Liam C Ryan]

Just another Queenie question, how late on in the year is it to late to try and get a queen mated.
Regards
Liam C

 

[oliver90owner]

how late on in the year is it to late to try and get a queen mated

There is a subtle difference between sensibly setting out with the intention of trying to get a queen mated and the actual date it could happen. It might be September, October, even November if conditions are satisfactory. Bees don't work by dates.

 

[victor meldrew]

Not at all!

I used it as my primary reading source - and many others do also.


Such a definitive statement is unwarranted.



Dusty

Pomposity incarnate . Totally expected
Vm

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

 

[pargyle]

Not at all!

I used it as my primary reading source - and many others do also.


Such a definitive statement is unwarranted.



Dusty[. /QUOTE]

It's an opinion ... I have Hooper and as a reference book, once you have some understanding of what beekeeping is about, it's excellent. But as a book for beginners to read .... it just doesn't work. Sorry Dusty, probably my intellect that's the problem ...

 

[Mikeb123]

Thanks for all the positive comments I really appreciate them

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

It's an opinion ... I have Hooper and as a reference book, once you have some understanding of what beekeeping is about, it's excellent. But as a book for beginners to read .... it just doesn't work. Sorry Dusty, probably my intellect that's the problem ...

The problem, Pargyle, is turning an opinion into a universal truth (and putting people off reading an excellent book).

It doesn't work for some, I agree. But it does for others - as many similar threads over the last couple of years will testify.

Anyhow, Mikeb123, I do hope you enjoy your beekeeping.
As both Pargyle and I agree that Hooper is an excellent book, don't be put off getting it early! The nights are drawing in already.

Dusty

 

[pargyle]

The problem, Pargyle, is turning an opinion into a universal truth (and putting people off reading an excellent book).

It doesn't work for some, I agree. But it does for others - as many similar threads over the last couple of years will testify.

Anyhow, Mikeb123, I do hope you enjoy your beekeeping.
As both Pargyle and I agree that Hooper is an excellent book, don't be put off getting it early! The nights are drawing in already.

Dusty

I agree, Hooper should be on every beekeepers shelf, updated edition on Amazon at £9 inc postage - a bargain... but the Haynes Manual or David Cramp's Practical Manual of Beekeeping and even Bees at the Bottom of the Garden are a better introductory read for someone with no previous experience of bees.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Cramp - decent read but no real use. Apart from Digges (when I was ten - damn good read) Cramp and Hooper were the first books I read. Now I always have Cramp within arms reach (it stops the desk from wobbling excessively )

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Hi JBM!

You've been quiet recently.
Ah, but I seem to recall that Friday night is dedicated to community relations down the social club!

Who was it, by the way, who said of a much hyped book, "This is not a book to be put down lightly. It is a book to be hurled aside with great force"?

I take back all I said about the welsh.

Well, some of it.

Dusty

 

[pargyle]

Cramp - decent read but no real use. Apart from Digges (when I was ten - damn good read) Cramp and Hooper were the first books I read. Now I always have Cramp within arms reach (it stops the desk from wobbling excessively )

I agree ...you grow out of the lighter bee books and Hooper lives on with you.

 

[mbc]

Cramp - decent read but no real use. Apart from Digges (when I was ten - damn good read) Cramp and Hooper were the first books I read. Now I always have Cramp within arms reach (it stops the desk from wobbling excessively )

Reading is very subjective, so theres no telling what suits each individual, but I too find no value in books such as Cramp, which I did read the once and thought was lame, but I 'd never go back to it for anything. Says it all really.
On the other hand I found bees at the bottom of the garden by Alan Campion quite charming and useful when I was starting out, and Hooper a good follow up which I still find handy for reference. Its all true in those books(IMHO of course).

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

It was misattributed to Dorothy Parker.

And the quote is: This is not a novel to be tossed aside lightly. It should be thrown with great force.

Get your facts right, Dusty.

Dusty