On Fri, 8 Nov 1996, Joel Govostes wrote:
> >What is a "top bar hive" ? I've seen these mentioned several times
<snip>
> >Brian Myers
>
> A top-bar hive is of relatively simple design. It is a long box across
> which are laid top-bars, about 30 or so in number. The bees construct
> their combs one per top bar. They
<big snip snip>
> Our resident Bee-L veteran on these hives is James Satterfield, who has
> built several and is experiencing much success with them. He sent me some
> wonderful photos of his neat, orderly apiaries. I look forward to stocking
> several new TB hives next spring. I hope this overview is helpful.
> There are references on TB hive construction and use available on the Web
> (just where I don't recall -- Jim?). JG
Joel, you made a wonderful and informative response to the original
request. I got my initial information from Paul Magnuson in Pretoria,
South Africa. I've also seen a neat article by Ron Brown in the British
Beekeeper's Quarterly, No. 44. Eva Crane's incredible book on beekeeping
has information on many tbh designs and dimensions. Conrad Berube has
some good information on his web page (can't find the URL at the moment).
One can also find some good information on tbh's at the following website:
http://www.web.net/~dcfrn
I've gotten some 30 gallon(US), food grade, plastic drums that I will cut
in half lengthwise and try to use as hive bodies next year. They should
really work well.
Joel, you mentioned being careful in handling the tbh combs which get
tougher with age. Wyatt Mangum operates a pollination service in North
Carolina by using about 200 Kenya tbh's. He does not change out combs
except for damaged or badly shapen combs; hauls the hives around in the
back of his pickup truck and also on a trailer. TBH's can be tough!
Incidentally, if any club would like to have an exceptional program, Wyatt
Mangum presented "The history of Beekeeping" in addition to "The Kenya
TBH" at the Beekeeping Seminar at Young Harris, GA USA last summer...and
both programs were superb. He has a marvelous beekeeping museum.
If the winter gets cold and miserable enough, I may try to develop a web
page devoted *exclusively* to tbh's. I would be grateful to any of you on
BEE-L who can supply me with references or desirable links.
Enough for now. Oh, btw last week a bear got into another tbh of mine at
Ellijay some 40 miles further north. Ate everything except about a gallon
of wax scraps. I set the hive back up, gathered up the bars, and it's
ready to use again. No frames to replace. Wax is in my solar melter
where it will melt...probably next year. :)
Cordially yours,
Jim
---------------------------------------------------------------
| James D. Satterfield | E-Mail: [log in to unmask] |
| --------------------------------
| 258 Ridge Pine Drive Canton is about 40 mi/64 km |
| Canton, GA 30114, USA north of Atlanta, Georgia USA |
| Telephone (770) 479-4784 |
---------------------------------------------------------------
|
