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April

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April showers (and bees) bring May flowers

“I'm covered in bees! Aah! Covered in bees!”
--Eddie Izzard, Glorious

The History of Honey Bee Culture

Bees and beekeeping have been subjects of vital importance in the world's agricultural literature for centuries. Special Collections holds many resources that trace the history of beekeeping from the earliest published works on honeybee husbandry, such as the 1572 edition of Thomas Hill's A pleasant instruction of the parfit ordering of Bees. Other works mark the advancement of scientific knowledge about bees. An example of this is Charles Butler's The Feminine Monarchie: or The Historie of Bees (originally published in 1609). Butler was among the earliest observers to recognize that worker bees were female instead of male, as was commonly believed when he first published his book in 1609 (Special Collections has the 1623 and 1634 editions).

Among Special Collections' historical resources on bee culture are numerous illustrated works showing the wide variety of hives and equipment that were used in the United States and around the world. In addition to rare books, nursery and seed trade catalogs advertising beekeepers' supplies provide glimpses into the art and craft of beekeeping.

 

Thumbnail for the first (or only) page of Eleanor Roosevelt at the USDA Bee Lab.
Eleanor Roosevelt at the USDA Bee Lab
(1939)
Eleanor Roosevelt dons a beekeeper's veil during a visit to the Bee Laboratory at the USDA's Bureau of Entomology
Thumbnail for the first (or only) page of The Natural History of Insects.
The Natural History of Insects
(1858)
The Hive Bee chapter, handwritten and illustrated by the author at age 15. Riley later became chief entomologist for USDA and the Smithsonian…
Thumbnail for the first (or only) page of Maandschrift voor Bijenteelt.
Maandschrift voor Bijenteelt
(1958)
Cover of February 1958 issue showing a print by Joannes Stradanus, 16th-century Dutch artist. The scene depicts beekeepers using flames to attract and…
Thumbnail for the first (or only) page of A. I. Root Company's Catalogue of Seeds.
A. I. Root Company's Catalogue of Seeds
(1897)
An entry under the heading "Honey Plants" on pages 8-9 advertises dandelion seeds for sale, calling them "superior" as honey-producing plants.
Thumbnail for the first (or only) page of Le progrès apicole.
Le progrès apicole
(1900-1901)
Outer wrapper of a set of bulletins published by the Fédération Apicole du Hainaut [Belgium]. French and Dutch slogans on back panel promote domestic…
Thumbnail for the first (or only) page of Posson's Seed Store catalog.
Posson's Seed Store catalog
(1896)
Contains an extensive section of beekeeping supplies
Thumbnail for the first (or only) page of Del governo delle api.
Del governo delle api
(1847)
Frontispiece and title page
Thumbnail for the first (or only) page of The Feminine Monarchie: or The Historie of Bees.
The Feminine Monarchie: or The Historie of Bees
(1623)
Frontispiece and title page
Thumbnail for the first (or only) page of Melissomelos or the Bees Madrigall from The Feminine Monarchie: or The Historie of Bees.
Melissomelos or the Bees Madrigall from The Feminine Monarchie: or The Historie of Bees
(1623)
Musical notation for four voices, intended to mimic the buzzing sound of "bee song"
Thumbnail for the first (or only) page of The Beekeeper and the Fruit-Grower: Why and How Their Interests are Mutual.
The Beekeeper and the Fruit-Grower: Why and How Their Interests are Mutual
(1920)
Pamphlet advocating the benefits of beekeeping for fruit producers

April 2016 calendar page (23mb PDF). 8.5 x 11 and 11 x 17.

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