Jim wrote:

"> the tropics + limited resources = top bar hives.

In regard to both farming and beekeeping, I must disagree.

Exhibit A: Honey Care Africa
http://honeycareafrica.com
Where modern Langstroth Equipment is provided to beekeepers, and a
percentage of their honey sales goes to pay off the equipment.  As the
harvestable honey is increased in both quantity and quality with the
elimination of ad-hoc horizontal hives made of junk, and the less sanitary
harvest therefrom.  It turns honey into a true cash crop, and that is a rare
thing."



A friend, while visiting East Africa, asked to see the Langstroth hive that had been provided. It was the best piece of furniture in the house!  It was used as a smart store for household items as it was far too smart and posh to go outside and have bees in it!  The bees were still in the cheap and cheerful top bar hives.


Chris

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