This post is in response to my Uncle Alan's post concerning the apiary that my grandfather and great-grandfather ran. Alan's post can be found here. http://blogging-folly.blogspot.com/2009/03/beekeeping-circa-1950.html
Unfortunately, I was born a little too late to enjoy working with the bees. By the time I was able to remember anything, both my grandparents had passed away. Luckily the apiary was kept up by my uncles, Alan and Richard. Every time we went to visit my mother
's hometown (Levan, Utah) we were able to see the hives and enjoy some homemade honey! One of my greatest pleasures as a child was chewing fresh honeycomb. The honey was always great and you could chew the wax for hours.It is amazing how strange an apiary can look if one is not accustomed to it. I remember being simultaneously drawn to, and afraid of the hives when I was growing up. Each hive seemed older than dirt and (just like everything in Levan) a little haunted. Perhaps I was only able to feel the luxury of fear because I never had to work with the hives.
One thing is for certain, I've never tasted better honey in my entire life. Once the hives were passed on to my uncles they continued to produce honey the old-fashioned way. When my great-grandfather owned the apiary it was huge. He had hives in Levan and (I believe) Delta. Over time the apiary got smaller and smaller. Now there are only three hives (that I know of) behind my uncle Richard's house. Every time I go out there I can see bees coming and going, but I don't know if he's actually extracting honey. I have a few jars of honey left, stuff my mother and I bought from Richard a few years ago, and I cherish it. I've looked all over for honey that good, but I've never been able to find it. Overall, I think I'm really lucky. I may not have been able to work with the bees, but thanks to my uncle's I was able to eat the honey.
This picture was taken for the local paper. My Mother and my Uncle's often told me stories about my Great-Grandfather Dalby. The one I will always remember came from my Mother. Great-Grandfather Dalby had arthritis in his hands and whenever it got real bad he would snatch up a bee and force it to sting him in the knuckle. He claimed that it helped the arthritis. Recent scientific studies have shown this to be true. Bee venom will help relieve the pain of arthritis, but it is much easier to take now. Many places sale it in pill form.
This is a picture of my Father and my Uncle Alan sitting in front of the bee house. After my Father married my Mother he often helped my uncle out with the bees.
I believe this is a picture of my Uncle Alan displaying one of the honey combs. This is also a great picture of one of the bee suits they wear when extracting.
My Uncle Richard showing off some hives.
Here's a hive covered in bees. Truth be told I know nothing of beekeeping, but I'm sure that Alan will correct any mistakes in my terminology or history.
