Bees in America Read online

  BEES

  IN AMERICA

  How the Honey Bee

  Shaped a Nation

  TAMMY HORN

  Publication of this volume was made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

  Copyright © 2005 by The University Press of Kentucky

  Scholarly publisher for the Commonwealth, serving Bellarmine University, Berea College, Centre College of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, The Filson Historical Society, Georgetown College, Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky State University, Morehead State University, Murray State University, Northern Kentucky University, Transylvania University, University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, and Western Kentucky University.

  All rights reserved.

  Editorial and Sales Offices: The University Press of Kentucky 663 South Limestone Street, Lexington, Kentucky 40508-4008

  www.kentuckypress.com

  05 06 07 08 09 5 4 3 2

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Horn, Tammy, 1968-Bees in America : how the honey bee shaped a nation / Tammy Horn.

  p. cm.

  Includes bibliographical references and index.

  ISBN 0-8131-2350-X (hardcover : alk. paper

  1. Bee culture—United States—History. 2. Honeybee—

  United States—History. I. Title.

  SF524.5.H67 2005

  638’.1’0973—dc22

  2004026887

  This book is printed on acid-free recycled paper meeting the requirements of the American National Standard for Permanence in Paper for Printed Library Materials.

  Manufactured in the United States of America.

  TO A STRONG COLONY:

  Earl and Charlene Horn,

  Anna Lee Hacker,

  Jennifer Peckinpaugh,

  Scottie Noland,

  Carol Falkenstine de Rosset

  CONTENTS

  List of Illustrations

  Acknowledgments

  Part One: Hiving Off from Europe

  Introduction

  Chapter 1. Bees and New World Colonialism

  Part Two: Establishing a New Colony

  Chapter 2. Bees and the Revolution

  Part Three: Swarming West during the Nineteenth Century

  Chapter 3. Before Bee Space, 1801–1860

  Chapter 4. After Bee Space, 1860–1900

  Part Four: Requeening a Global Hive

  Chapter 5. Early Twentieth Century: Industrialization, 1901–1949

  Chapter 6. Late Twentieth Century: Globalization, 1950–2000

  Epilogue

  Notes

  Glossary

  Dramatis Personae

  Bibliography

  Permissions

  Index

  ILLUSTRATIONS

  I.1 Queen and worker bees

  I.2 Three types of bees

  I.3 Drone bee

  1.1 Skeps, Girth. How a skep is started

  1.2 Skeps. Typical bell-shaped skep hive with handle

  1.3 A thatch hackle tied over a skep hive; a milk pan used as a cover on a flat skep

  1.4 A skep beekeeper placing his hive on an eke

  1.5 Colonial husking bee

  1.6 Bee gum

  2.1 Continental currency from 1779

  2.2 Certificate of membership for the Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, Arts, & Manufacturers (New York)

  2.3 Certificate of membership for the Salem Charitable Mechanic Association

  3.1 Storifying using cylindrical skeps and bell-shaped top skep

  3.2 Charles Alexandre Lesueur’s illustration of a bee tree

  3.3 Lorenzo Langstroth

  3.4 The bee space inside a straw skep

  3.5 Langstroth moveable frame

  3.6 Munn’s hive, showing moveable frames for examination

  3.7 Langstroth frame showing “bee space”

  3.8 Mormon currency

  4.1 “Gone Off with the Yanks”

  4.2 Seventy-second Pennsylvania flag

  4.3 Elder Henry C. Blinn of Canterbury, New Hampshire, Shaker Village

  4.4 A. I. Root

  4.5 Charles Dadant and John Hammon

  4.6 Woman beekeeper

  4.7 Johannes Mehring

  4.8 Two workers pressing comb foundation

  4.9 Major Fransesco de Hruschka

  4.10 Honey extractor

  4.11 Quinby smoker

  5.1 Margaret Murray Washington’s Beekeeping Ladies

  5.2 Beehive Beverage advertisement

  5.3 Beehive Beverage advertisement

  5.4 E. F. Phillips examines a frame with World War I veterans

  5.5 E. F. Phillips teaching hive basics to World War I veterans

  5.6 Vermont farmer John Spargo checking the hives with his son

  5.7 Honey advertisement featuring black child

  5.8 Honey advertisement featuring Hopalong Cassidy

  5.9 Women on the assembly line at A. I. Root candle factory

  5.10 Women sewing bee suits at A. I. Root Bee Supply company

  5.11 George Arnold exhibits a super of honey

  5.12 Oakley Idaho Welfare Farm

  5.13 San Antonio Honey Peddler, 1939

  5.14 Busy Bee Home Social Club, Louisiana, 1940

  5.15 Busy Bee Home Social Club, Louisiana, 1940

  5.16 World War II bees

  5.17 Salt Lake City Mormon celebration float, 1947

  6.1 Medina Honey Fest float

  6.2 Utah shell game

  6.3 Snelgrove’s bee hive ice cream

  6.4 Norm Gary playing clarinet

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  William Butler Yeats once said one must labor to be beautiful. I no longer deny I am a worker bee. I like the activity and anonymity that happens when I am immersed in a project I enjoy. Of all the bees, my favorite is the forager, the bee that finds flowers in the fields, collects dusty pollen and nectar, and carries these raw materials back to the hive to be turned into nourishment for an entire hive.

  I have been surrounded by a symphony of supportive people, many of whom labor anonymously to make our society a better place. In addition to those mentioned on the dedication page, I want to acknowledge the various social families that have dreamed, written, and contributed to this book.

  The lines between relatives and friends have blurred so long ago that it is impossible for me to name all the people I consider family. Together with my parents, my immediate family—Jamie Horn, Brian and Gabriel Napier, Lyn, and E. J. Hacker—have been unanimous in their support of my goals. Amy Noland Hughes and her family—Joel Scott, Joy Lee, Cathy, Julie, Keith, Becky, Jay, Tracy, Sue, Nancy, and Eddie—have provided steady, consistent friendship.

  Forever etched in my mind is the kindness of Ashley Gibson Khazen and her family, Sally, Merry, Tom, Gloria, and Haidar. I have needed the sage advice of Debra Lewis, Bruce Danner, Chris and Kateri Chambers—their words filtered through jazz, bourbon, and Pontchartrain humidity. Jennifer Lewis, Francis Figart, Jim Kenkel, and Sherry Robinson have continued to serve as loci of value. And great gratitude is extended to Emily Saderholm and Andy Teague, whose impromptu kindness and steady strength I have taken great comfort in. Their introduction to Hawaii—its emphasis on peace and acceptance—sustained me during the composition process. All of these people—such strong convictions, such gentle hearts—have helped me find my own words.

  My colleagues have provided solid sources of support. At Fort Hays, Sharon Wilson, Kris Bair, Jay Osiovitch, Cliff Edwards, and Ralph Voss were wonderful teachers. I extend thanks to those at the University of Alabama—Ralph Voss (again), Phil Beidler, Rich Megraw, Richard Rand, Diane Roberts, John and Amy Beeler, Larry and Maureen Kohl, Kathy and Paul Gorman, Dwight Eddins, Jennifer Horn, Dave Johnston, Pat Hermann,
Alan Wier, Tony and Jessica Brusate, Neil and Janet Kirchner, Jim Salem, Rose Gladney, and Lyn Adrian.

  I don’t want to forget my colleagues and carpool group at the University of West Alabama, who encouraged me to follow through with my larger dreams. Mitzi Forrester Gates, Tina Naremore Jones, Mark Griffith, Richard Schelhammer, Robyn Trippany, Henry Walker, Leesa Corrigan, and Roy Underwood were attentive listeners and storytellers. Many a mile melted away in laughter and wisdom among the carpool. I remain grateful for their forthrightness.

  My colleagues at Eastern Kentucky University warmly welcomed me back to Kentucky: Jennifer Spock, Deb Core, Joan Miller, Belinda Gadd, Charlie Sweet, Hal Blyth, Debbie Whalen, Carrie Cooper, Bonnie Plummer, Dan Florell, Kevin Jones, Martha Marcum, Kevin Rahimzadeh, Sarah Tsiang, Anne Gossage, Susan Kreog, Meg Matheny, Jennings Mace, and all the busy bees on the second floor.

  No doubt about it—this book is a dream come true, in large part because it was written at my alma mater, Berea College. I would like to thank Eugene Startzman, Libby Jones, Deanna Sergel, Jackie Burnside, Richard Sears, Al DeGiacomo, Jim Gage, Beth Crachiolo, Deb Martin, Steve Pulsford, Stephanie Browner, Dave Porter, Laura Crawford, Barbara Wade, Randall Roberts, Fred de Rosset, John Carlevale, Sandy Bolster, Beth Curlin, Patty Tartar, Francie Bauer, Barbara Powers, Ann Chase, Jill Bouma, Karl Walhausser, Bill Ramsey, Cary Hazelwood, Kathryn Akural, Susan Vaughn, Linda Varwig, Don Hudson, Gary Mahoney, Duane Smith, Dave Bowman, Rob Foster, Rebecca Bates, Carolyn Castle, Cindy Judd and Susan Henthorne, and especially Phyllis Gabbard, to name just a few. The Berea community has extended the campus in a nice, quiet way, continually offering encouragement, especially in the smiles of Praveena Salins, Gary Elam, John-David Startzman, Charlotte Hazeltine, and Monica Isaacs. My students at Berea College and Eastern Kentucky University, and my teaching assistant Jaime Breckenridge, have been good-natured recipients of my research. Although Thomas Wolfe expressed doubt that one could go home again, I have experienced profound joy in doing so.

  When one works with bees, one quickly realizes the importance of dances. Special thanks go to the Lexington and Berea dance communities: Cary Ravitz; Fran Bevins; Richard King; Liz Donaldson; Jackie, John, and Eric Crowden; Barbara Ramlow; Barbara Lytle; Yoong-Geum Ahm; Teresa Cole; Steve Bennett; Lucinda Masterston; Lindsey and Olivia Morris; Bob Lovett; Hannah Kirsch; Kevin Hopper; Trent Ripley; Dan Van Treese; Joe Carwile; and Larry Johnson.

  Gratitude goes to my church family: Jean and Bob Boyce, Mary Lou and Les Pross, Bob and Liz Menefee, Kent Gilbert and Jan Pearce, Marlene and John Payne, Dorothy and Gene Chao, Harry Rice and Carol Gilliam, Eddie Broadhead and Loretta Reynolds, Sean Perry, Robert Rorrer, Jan Hamilton, Al and Alice White, Matt Saderholm and Angela Anderson, John and Ramona Culp, John and Keila Thomas, Susan Yorde, and Nancy and Larry Shinn.

  The Bee Project: The University Press of Kentucky initiated this project, and their open-door policy has been much appreciated by this writer. Steve Wrinn, Gena Henry, Joyce Harrison, and Craig Wilkie have been patient and enthusiastic. I never doubted that I was in good hands with the marketing department: Leila Salisbury, Wyn Morris, Allison Webster, Kristen Barras, and Mack McCormick. But I am especially appreciative to those who worked with me in the editorial process, which is so much more than just cleaning up syntax. Freelancer Karen Hellekson provided tactful editorial suggestions and revisions. Danielle Dove carefully designed the text in her corner of the Press. Most of all, I have appreciated Nichole Lainhart, who has coaxed this manuscript and me along with smiles and an invaluable sense of humor.

  Thanks goes to Kyle McQueen, whose conscientious research of nineteenth-century newspaper articles helped spice up those chapters, and Lowell Bouma, who translated Carl Seyffert’s 1930 German text into English. Utah deserves special mention for its generous archivists. Carol Edison, Bonnie Lee Sparks, and Sharon Odekirk provided information, materials, and warm personalities. Of course, the archivists throughout the states responded with enthusiasm and good will: Cathy Grosfils, Richard Doty, Dot Wiggins, Cathy Michelini, Brian Thompson, Larrie Curry, Christian Goodwillie, Doug Nesbitt, Frank Smith, Jason Wilson, the National Honey Board, and Almond Board of California were especially generous in providing permissions, suggestions, reminders, etc.

  The beekeepers themselves rallied to my project without hesitation. There is a Buddhist saying: when the student is ready, the teacher will be there. Fortunately for me, the teacher was Tom Webster, Kentucky state entomologist. Tom introduced me to editors Joe Graham, Jerry Hayes, and Kim Flottum, all of whom opened their hearts, their archives, and even the bank vault to help me in my research. As if that weren’t enough, Tom and Kim patiently read this book in all of its various stages.

  A special thanks should be extended to Etta Thacker, Bill Mares, Wyatt Mangum, Eric Mussen, John Harbo, Marla Spivak, Robin Mountain, Phil Craft, Bob and Yvonne Koehnen, John and Jay Miller, Kim Lehman, Suzanne Doerfield, and Sue Cobey, who generously provided impromptu bee lessons in the areas where instruction was needed. If there are any flaws in the book, the fault is mine. Gene Kritsky kindly permitted me to use his illustrations, thus providing clarity to some of the descriptions about hives. And finally, Sarah Manion and Mary Kay Franklin at the Walter Kelley Bee Company provided resources, stories, pictures, and best of all, memories of both Kelley and my grandfather.

  The final two beekeepers, Ted Hacker and Bess Horn, are in a class of their own for more than one reason.

  Part One

  HIVING OFF FROM EUROPE

  INTRODUCTION

  But are there not more than enough bee books?

  —Karl von Frisch

  Von Frisch’s question has haunted me throughout the process of compiling this book. For those interested in how to keep bees, many fine writers already exist. For those who want to read about the joys of beekeeping, better books than this one are already on the market. Even scientists and researchers have found an appreciative general audience. Von Frisch decided to “give the reader the interesting part of the subject, without the ballast of practical instruction.” The result is The Dancing Bees; he won the Nobel Prize for his life’s work in honey bee communication in 1973.

  Now, I offer another bee book, better defined by what it is not than what it is. Absent are the latest statistics about honey, beeswax, or imports. Nor will this book prepare anyone to don a veil, grab a smoker, and head for the nearest bee tree. I am not a biologist.

  So why keep reading? The answer is my desire to examine the values associated with being an American, as complicated as that definition can be. No two values have been so highly regarded since colonial days than industry and thrift. No better symbol represents these values than the honey bee. Furthermore, although almost no part of our culture remains untouched by honey bees, the field of cultural entomology is still relatively unexplored. Writing as recently as 1987, Charles Hogue lamented of honey bees that “[the bees] cultural importance relative to that of other life forms is not known, because a comparative study has not yet been conducted.”1 Eva Crane has since responded with The World History of Beekeeping and Honey Hunting (1999), which I have relied upon through the course of writing this book. Much is left out, however, for it seems to me that a crucial discussion about the interactions between the beekeepers themselves needs to be added to the literature. I look at how four elements at an intersection called America affect beekeeping in irrevocable ways; those four elements are the honey bee itself, the ideas that Americans had about honey bees, the freedom to develop those ideas, and the beekeepers’ interactions with each other. Of these, it is the last I find so very compelling, for I have a hunch that when beekeepers form a society, they in turn affect the larger society we call America in fascinating ways.

  Why do we associate industry and thrift with the honey bee? One glance in a hive clarifies why we consider bees to be the most industrious of insects: the bee society is the most perfectly engineered social sphere. Honey bees do not waste an inch of space, honey, or wax in their hives. Thei
r cells are built on a slight upward incline, thus using gravity so that all the honey stays within the cell. Honey bees do not waste time: they have clearly defined tasks that have evolved over millions of years to create a highly structured social system. Furthermore, no matter their location, bees build these hives to protect themselves through the seasons.

  America is the exact opposite. At first glance, we are anything but organized. We do not have an official religion, political party, language, or even family structure. The Declaration of Independence assures this country that independence will be a characteristic of American culture. But Americans love successes, especially financial ones. And for many people, the traits associated with honey bee society—industry and thrift—were directly associated with the benefits that the New World offered those European immigrants willing to work hard, take advantage of its natural resources, and save their money until they could buy (or take) land.

  Although the honey bee did not officially arrive in America until the 1620s, its image had been associated with America much earlier. As soon as Columbus became convinced that he had arrived near the original Garden of Eden in 1492, North America quickly became known as the New World, and by extension in the European mind-set, a new Canaan, a land of milk and honey. Even though honey bees and cattle were not native to North America, as soon as colonists imagined that America could be a “land of milk and honey,” they set in motion the events to make America so. Behind this determination was a set of complex reasons—political, cultural, and theological—that began in England, but by the end of the century involved Holland, Sweden, France, Germany, and Africa.

  Although the book focuses on America, this introduction begins in seventeenth-century England, for in the years preceding Jamestown’s foundation, the English established an important social metaphor associated with honey bees that deviated from classical bee metaphors. Having flourished under Queen Elizabeth I, England had continued to invest the honey bee image with values of stability, responsibility, and industry inherited from Roman and Greek writers. But immediately after Queen Elizabeth I died, England experienced three major upheavals: weather disasters, overpopulation, and land transfers as society abandoned feudal policies. The complexities of these changes resulted in high rates of poverty, but the royal authorities under King James and King Charles I quickly adopted a relatively new biological metaphor to simplify the complex social problems they had. The queen’s beekeeper, Charles Butler, defined the male honey bee as a drone in 1609; this new distinction in honey bee society offered a simple biological reason for a complex social one. The poor people were labeled “drones.”