Episode 29: Busy Bees
Beekeeping was a very important part of farming in the Adirondacks many years ago. At a time when farmers relied solely on subsistence farming to live, keeping bees gave farmers access to honey for something sweet to eat, beeswax for high quality candles and medicine, and pollination for their crops. Listen in to learn about traditional beekeeping, and to hear from a local Adirondack beekeeper about hobby beekeeping today!
Bee Hunting in the Adirondacks, engraving, Theodore Russel Davis. 1868. (1978.008.0005)
Beeswax press with wooden frame and metal tub, sold by A.I. Root Co. to make blocks of beeswax. The iron press is attached to a threaded rod, and held by a heavy wood cross-piece. Two blocks of wood hold the press up so the tub can be removed. The tub has a water drainage hole at the bottom with a handmade wooden plug. The tub and disc are lined with coarse screening. Two semicircular sheets of metal sit on the tub to prevent splashing. Maker’s marks, on side: “Root -Hatch Wax Press.” Function: Wax is collected in the tub and softened with hot water. The wax rises to the top; water is drawn off at the bottom. The wax was made into candles, sold to the public, or sold to companies that manufactured comb foundation (made from pure beeswax). 1910-1940. ( 1966.003.0018)
Connecting to Curriculum
Read-aloud: Students can follow along while listening. Download a copy of the transcript. Click HERE to download a copy of the transcript.
Vocabulary: Explore new words. Students will be listening to high level vocabulary in context. Have them identify the definition. Click HERE for the vocabulary page.
Science: Build a native bee habitat. Research pollination and the interdependent relationship between pollinators and plants.
Social Studies: Research the history of farming in the Adirondacks.
Questions
Higher grade level students may want to explore some topics in more depth.
- Research native Adirondack bees and what we can do to help them.
- Research and/or discuss the ethics of beekeeping, come to your own conclusions. Does beekeeping help or hurt bees? Or is it more complicated than that?
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