I have been following the discussion on favorite books which is quite interesting in of itself! The part where I feel that the older texts play an important role is in filling in the gaps. Sure many of the older books are more likely to hold antidotal observations rather than scientifically validated facts, however these older texts are rife with good observations. It always impresses me to read "factual" texts of the early 1900's as opposed to current scientific papers. They would add in all kinds of observations which editors of today would strike without a second thought. Observations of behavior, the weather, details that are not mentioned in todays fast paced, just the facts, style of reporting. Often the details provide more than materials, methods, results! These older books allow beekeepers to look at where we have come in beekeeping. While we are still operating with post civil war bee hives we have added sophisticated energy intensive tools to increase our level of productivity. When and why were these tools & procedures added or by whom? What was the thinking behind introducing certain strains of bee? What has been the motivation behind moving from one chemical treatment to another? Amazingly, our core tools--hive tool, smoker, boxes etc remain relatively unchanged since 1900. As a side to my few cents I would like to add that the digitization of the EF Phillips Rare Beekeeping Book Collection is currently underway some of the pre 1925 volumes selected are being prepared to be mounted on-line for anyone to view! For more information explaining the program & where the first volumes should appear check visit EAS website or download the following PDf http://www.easternapiculture.org/programs/phillips.pdf cheers Mike Griggs Entomologist/ Support Scientist Plant Protection Research Unit USDA ARS, U.S. Plant, Soil & Nutrition Lab. Tower Road, Ithaca, NY 14853 http://www.ppru.cornell.edu/PPRU.htm phone: 607-255-1085 fax: 607-255-1132 email: [log in to unmask] :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::