Letters from the Hive: An Apicentric Point of View

Malcolm T. Sanford
https://beekeep.info

Dear Beekeepers:
I, as recorder for the board of directors, have taken pen in hand to write concerning our thoughts about
modern bee culture. Collectively, we are concerned about the current status of beekeeper-honey bee
relations, and as such, would like to give a honey bees-eye view of the situation. You may be
somewhat surprised to know a bee can write. I cant in human terms, but my letters are being faithfully
copied by our beekeeper, a kind and gentle soul, who understands our language. He talks to us each day
about worldly affairs, reads us the latest good as well as gibberish in the beekeeping publications, and
generally keeps us informed of the human communitys ideas about bee culture.
You may also wonder where much of our information comes from, emanating as it is from individuals
who live at most 50 to 60 days. Honey bees, after all, have no books nor libraries to house information.
With what audacity, therefore, do these insects suggest to counsel humans whore supplied with huge
arsenals of scientific knowledge. Our collective knowledge is not in print, but lies in molecules,
evolving over the years into wonderfully limitless configurations, providing more than the number of
required permutations to store bee experience as it has developed over time. You humans must
remember that our species is infinitely more ancient than yourselves, yours being a development of a
paltry two or so million years to our 70.
These preliminaries concluded, let me get to the first agenda item the board of directors has asked me
to address. We are very much concerned about the smugness of some beekeepers today. They are
constantly jawing in the journals about specific and simple answers to our problems. We are a complex
society and pride ourselves as such. We suggest you dont be misled by those who insist theres only
one way or one time to do things. That is simply not the case in most instances. And woe betide we
bees with a keeper who thinks so.
Often we are doomed to deal with exasperating circumstances put upon us by unthinking beekeepers
that are hopelessly out of synchrony with our biology and that of the plants we depend upon.
Sometimes these improperly-timed techniques result in the extinction of a colony, a loss to you and us
alike. Most result in a quote in the movies some time ago: What we have here is a failure to
communicate.
We abhor this lack of communication, and through these letters, hope to overcome the resulting barrier.
Some of what we say will be controversial even among our own members. Much will perhaps be
offensive to beekeepers, but it appears to be the only way we can tell our story as it is, rather than have
it thoughtlessly and carelessly told for us.
As always,
A.m. (Apis mellifera)
On Controversy:
Fueled by concern for the future, Ive taken pen in hand again to bring the board of directors opinions
before the beekeeping public. Theres been an alarming lack of controversy lately in the beekeeping
journals. This makes for dull reading, and in the long run, little thinking. Some of our own board
members even went to sleep while our beekeeper read one of the latest articles in a nationally-
recognized publication.
One of the charms of the bee journals throughout history has been the differences of opinions expressed
in their pages. True, this has led to some animosity, but we believe in the long run it has added to the
average beekeepers knowledge, and ultimately helped us bees. This recent lackadaisical state of affairs
appears to be caused by a complacency developed over time by beekeepers because theyve had it too
good. Perhaps this attitude is justified. After all, why should beekeepers have to do any work? They can
sit back and rely on federal and state-subsidized research and education to do his investigating and
thinking for him.
Note our use of the loaded word him. We choose to use it here, knowing full well that most of us are
in fact females, who are far more capable of running things in most cases than males. It is a
compromise to increase readership and hopefully comprehension, given that most human males seem
to be wedded to the principles of their reputation as innate leaders, and might well pay less attention to
these letters written by females.
The beekeepers direct support noted above, along with human financial resources, can in some
instances bail them out of the consequences of their beekeeping errors. This is not to our advantage
since we bear the brunt of the errors often with no recourse to correct them. And in the end, the results,
rather like banquos ghost, come back to haunt beekeepers and honey bees alike. There can be no
substitute in our opinion for the average beekeeper to read as much as possible, mull over the
information, talk to other beekeepers, and then act according to best-informed instincts to help us bees
in times of crisis.
We are hardy creatures. As one of us stated in a recent communication: Wed have to be tough to
weather the storms foisted on us for decades by unthinking and uninformed beekeepers. We can and
do endure many beekeeper mistakes, but this is taken in stride with the hope that each leads to a
beekeepers learning to think more like a honey bee. But this only happens through much effort and
cannot be done for anyone. Differences of opinion, based on independent study, and thought, should be
cultivated, therefore, so each beekeeper can find his own way to effectively help his bees.
In conclusion, the recent lack of robust controversy in the bee journals is an ominous sign that
beekeepers may be becoming lazy and or are simply not thinking for themselves. We are hurt by this
malaise, more so perhaps than having our honey stolen, in the belief that beekeeping is somehow a
free lunch. We urge, therefore, a return to constructive controversy by beekeepers. Only by
discussing and thinking out beekeeping problems based on a diversified information base, will both
bees and beekeepers have much hope of prospering in the future.
As always,
A.m. (Apis mellifera)
On Finances:
At this time, the board of directors has asked me to communicate its sense of unease about human
financial matters. There is much talk about the various methods to restrain inflation and cure other
economic maladies in the news. The major regulator of the human economy appears to be government,
which in turn controls banks. Throughout history, institutions developed by humans have worked
together, and it would appear, are responsible for rampant monetary and market problems. To we bees,
this looks very much like our situation when, whether we ask for it or not, we get help from above.
Routinely we have been fed an abundance of sugar syrup and pollen supplement by our beekeeper in
early spring. We are also jumbled about, as our household is inspecting. All this stimulates us to get
moving, which often is good for both us and our beekeeper. Our economy, as it were, gets a shot in the
arm. We reply by beginning to rear brood. Each of us is better fed than usual this time of year, the
temperature in the colony is raised, and young bees become abundant in the expectation of more brood
to feed and the honey flow to come.
Because of this stimulation (help from above), however, our food consumption dramatically increases.
After all, we must put a lot of reserve investment (honey and stored pollen) into sustaining this
economic (population) growth. The concept is this will all be to our advantage when the honey flow
begins, for well be better able to take advantage of the future nectar to be produced.
As good as we feel, however due to this souped-up situation, the board of directors always is somehow
uneasy under these circumstances. For even though were prospering as never before, the directors
know were running on the ragged edge of disaster. This is a real fear. It happened last year to a colony
just down the road. Its beekeeper was informed about the value of feeding bees to stimulate them to
make more honey. But after some time, the food supply was discontinued either because funds
became scarce or perhaps we bees were forgotten in the rush of daily human activity.
Unfortunately, feeding was stopped just as our sisters were in high gear. The colonys growth, however,
continued and the already burgeoning population clamored for more and more food. When it became
apparent that none was forthcoming, and to make matters worse, the spring weather deteriorated into a
late snowstorm, brood rearing finally came to a halt. Our sisters were forced into a frenzy of eating
excess eggs and larvae to sustain themselves, and the colonys condition continued to decline. The
population starved agonizingly and slowly over the next few weeks. The last sister tucked her head into
a cell never to draw it out again just as the weather cleared, bringing forth the first few flowers of
spring with their precious nectar.
This is the sad tale of what can happen when we are fed indiscriminately and unthinkingly in the
spring. Stimulative feeding is a powerful tool, but it is also a two-edged sword that can backfire with
tragic results. And it seems to us that those who would manipulate the human economy, whether asked
to or not, and believe that all help from above is good, might take a lesson from our experience. They
can look like a beekeeper who expects something from nothing when managing honey bees.
As always,
A.m. (Apis mellifera)
On Reaching Consensus:
The board of directors has again asked me to write concerning something thats been on its mind lately,
the subject of brood disease. We abhor brood diseases, especially the dreaded American foulbrood
(Paenibacillus larvae larvae). We have seen this plague appear to erupt for no good reason in some of
our sisters hives of late, spreading death to the unborn bees of the population and signaling the
demise of several colonies by burning at the hands of the bee inspector.
Unfortunately for us, there appears to be little agreement among human scientists, beekeepers,
regulatory agencies and others concerning how to deal with American foulbrood. Each state, for
example, has a different apicultural law. These run the gamut from little inspection coupled with
recommendations to feed antibiotics for prevention and control of American foulbrood, to large-scale
inspection efforts tied to a rigidly-enforced burning of infected colonies. These disparate philosophies,
along with large-scale interstate movement of honey bee colonies, contribute to spreading brood
disease, rather than minimizing infection levels. In addition, the results of new technology, such as
ethylene oxide fumigation, cannot be considered totally effective at the present time, although some
evidence of efficacy does exist.
We see, therefore, little to be optimistic about with regard to controlling American foulbrood in the near
future. Many beekeepers believe American foulbrood can be kept in check, in-deed fully cured, by
administering antibiotics. But although heartened by past successes of drugs in clearing up symptoms
of American foulbrood, we urge caution in the use of this potent weapon. Indeed the persistent use of
drugs for prevention of disease makes us uneasy. Fortunately, the recent entrance of veterinarians into
the fray is hopefully is one way to regulate antibiotic use.
Although we insects are not mammals like you humans, a bacterium is a bacterium, and should be
expected to behave in much the same manner irrespective of host. Why then should humans believe the
low-level (sub-therapeutic) feeding of antibiotics to themselves to prevent outbreaks of human diseases
like smallpox, diptheria, and pneumonia is counterproductive, while at the same time recommending
the practice in beekeeping? The answer to this, from our standpoint, is not all that clear. That innate
resistance to American foulbrood is present in some parts of our population is a proven fact. This is the
rationale for burning all colonies showing symptoms to effectively fix in our population the genes
for resistance.
As always,
A.m. (Apis mellifera)
On African Honey Bees:
Our board of directors has chuckled on occasion at the ruckus our Afro-American cousins have caused
of late in the beekeeping community. Is it possible all those predictions about the African honey bee
being just a flash in the pan wont pan out? Rather than fat and happy, as theyve been described in
some recent press releases, they appear to be more like William Shakespeares Cassiushaving that
lean and hungry look.
With all the fuss this is causing, we may well sit back and ask the beekeepers of the nation why they
didnt ask us about our prognostications. Impossible? Maybe in the conventional manner, but many
creative alternatives exist to get at what the African honey bee is all about. In fact, as time goes on, it
looks like those honey bees in South America are not as strange as they appeared at first glance. They
are, after all, still honey bees, and much of their behavior can be compared to ours. Its just that they
have some eccentricities that even we European bees look upon with a jaundiced eye.
For us, for example, it would be anathema to live underground. That behavior is reserved for the lowly
yellow jacket. And we would be hard pressed to abscond, up and leave our babies and hard won honey
at the drop of a hat, as African honey bees are prone to do. On the other hand, our African cousins have
not been as pampered as we have throughout the years. In tropical Africa, there is much more
biological competition to reckon with than in the temperate regions where we developed. Its true there
might not be any black bears, but how about those scads of army ants, honey badgers (small bears of
sorts) and even birds, like bee eaters and the honey guide, which can deliver a honey bee nest into the
hands of that greatest of predators, humanity!
The African pattern of beekeeping is often extensive and predatory in the extreme. it must fall to our
African sisters using their sting first and investigating later. And, then, there is the 800 pound gorilla in
the room, climate. We Europeans are faced with a large climatic variable each year called winter. Our
African sisters in the main dont have to worry about the cold and snowy months of the low sun season.
They do, however, have to concern themselves with water and sometimes are forced, like the mammals
of the great velt, to move long distances in search of this precious commodity. They also have to
contend with a series of nectar flows that many times are not heavy enough to make surplus honey and
so they must at times migrate in search of richer pasture.
Forced rationing may well make African bees better survivors than we are under marginal conditions.
Along with the beekeepers of the nation, we too see the inexorable advance of the African honey bee as
a threat. Perhaps the most important way we can be injured would be for their actions to cause a human
public outcry against all bees. Locations for us might be infinitely more difficult to find than even at
the present time. In addition, there is the real possibility of large-scale take over of European colonies
by Africans due to their more aggressive nature in general.
On the other hand, we look forward to the bright side of the picture that the advent of our African
cousins is sure to cause. This will no doubt take the form of a heavier amount of investigation by
scientists, beekeepers and the general public into our value as pollinators. In addition, as information
becomes available on the behavior of African honey bees, much so-called conventional wisdom about
ourselves could well be replaced by information which might be used to beef up our population. Thus,
invasion of the African honey bee might like so many events in nature be a two-edged sword,
problematic in some respects (over defensiveness), but also contributing to survival via something
called hybrid vigor, that many now see in what is called the Africanized honey bee.
As always,
A.m. (Apis mellifera)
On Queen Excluders:
We are concerned that many beekeepers are not aware of how to culture bees in the broadest sense. As
such, many times they miss seeing the forest by concentrating on all the trees. This is manifested in
many meetings and bee schools where so many questions pertain to specifics, rather than the principles
of honey bee culture. We bees hesitate to call the specifics of beekeeping trivial or nit picking. On the
other hand we are at a loss to explain them any other way in human terms.
One topic, for example, which sets our rear ends in the air, sting extended, is the endless debate about
the use of the queen excluder by beekeepers. It seems, at times, this topic is addressed at length in
every school or meeting, but does it merit so much expenditure of time and energy? We think not. We
all know the classic pros and cons of using the queen excluder.
Some beekeepers have no truck with the device whether it be wood and wire, all metal or plastic. At
best they cuss it and deem it a nuisance; at worst, it becomes that sin of sins, a honey excluder. The
other side of the argument is also classic. Use of the queen excluder simplifies many a beekeepers
management. It is especially useful for many commercial beekeepers who dont have a lot of time to
spend on each colony.
We bees prefer to remain neutral as to whether or not a queen excluder should be used. After all, what it
boils down to is a personal decision on every beekeepers part. Nevertheless, in spite of this letter, we
are resigned to the fact that this question will continue to be asked time and again. The answer as to
why this is not clear to us. We can only suggest that some beekeepers are seeing this as a
straightforward question deserving of a simple response. It only needs to be asked over and over until
the answer, there all the time, a so-called smoking gun, will eventually pop out.
We also suggest this is why so many in beekeeping seek out what can only be described as gurus, those
who will answer their complex problems with simple paradigms. Unfortunately, these persons may be
only conversant in one small part of the issue, the inevitable result of increasing specialization in
human society. But the danger is the guru may become so caught up in his reasoning and derive so
much satisfaction from proclaiming it to the masses, he becomes unable to retract to a more reasonable
stance when logical exception is taken to his opinion.
In conclusion, we dont like to see humans so intent in search of simplicity. Our society is infinitely
complex; it has taken tens of millions of years to perfect it. And we did not get to where we are by
accident. The design did not come easy and has been mostly punctuated by failure along the way. We
were, however, never so far extended that we couldnt draw back and regroup forces before putting our
efforts elsewhere. We ask, therefore, that human beings look at our society as it is, a complex way of
life, fully integrated into the life-support system of the earth, yet not static, but continuing, slowly to
change. Only then will it become clear why even those beekeepers and scientists who know us so well
continue to be amazed at their present ignorance about the honey bee.
As always,
A.m. (Apis mellifera)
On Professionalism
On the heels of my last letter, the board of directors wishes to convey its collective opinion about
professionalism in the beekeeping industry. The national publications dealing with the trade are rife
with advertising, bordering at times on the ridiculous. In another industry some of these might be called
more than unethical, and perhaps be punishable under a number of fair business practice statutes. Such
advertising does no credit to the beekeeping community and, also, contributes to a lack of self esteem
among beekeepers and us bees alike.
Even as recently as a few months ago, for example, one publication featured in a section usually geared
to publishing factual material what appeared at first glance to be a breakthrough in the feeding of honey
bees. After having this read to us by our beekeeper, however, we concluded it was nothing more than an
advertisement promoting a product on the flimsiest of evidence. The article in fact was authored by the
very person in the business of selling the product, who cited himself in one place in the references as,
unpublished results. The author did reference one scientific study which appeared to corroborate his
own conclusions about the product, from which he quoted : Diets with brood-diet ratio of 1.0 or
greater must be considered as most promising.
The product did indeed fit the specifications. The quoted study, however, does not go on to recommend
the product, but suggests two other diets were most favorable in terms of availability and cost. The
latter statement is conveniently left out of the advertisement. Finally, the author of the advertisement
makes the outlandish statement that this product successfully overcomes the resistance of honey bees
to consume pollen substitutes. Unfortunately, no proof of this is cited in the references, leaving the
knowledgeable customer to ponder how this could be so in light of literally decades of futile research
by a wide variety of scientists on this very subject.
This is just one of the blatantly overstated kinds of promotion found in many bee publications, which
makes the beekeeping industry one of the best bastions of the rule, caveat emptor, let the buyer
beware. Other examples are legion, especially with reference to stock and/or queens as tested,
winter hardy, hybrid or pure Carniolan, without a shred of supporting evidence. A controversial
recent invention called the flow hive fits the model nicely. We continue to wait for some controlled
studies looking at this hives advantages and disadvantages.
In view of this, we bees can only recommend that advertisements which guarantee to totally prevent
swarming or somehow solve other time-honored problems in beekeeping should also be taken with
more than a grain of salt. Some persons, no doubt, have superior queens in their opinion or experience
in advanced techniques in bee management on which such advertising is based. But it behooves the
beekeeper not to take claims at face value, and to always ask for supporting evidence.
One rejoinder we continually hear is that in reality most beekeepers are not professional, but lumped
into a category called hobbyist. So be it, but most hobbyist beekeepers have another profession to
relate to which has promulgated a certain code of behavior. Theres little reason to suggest that because
there are so many hobbyists, the beekeeping profession should somehow be exempt.
In conclusion, we bees urge a hard look at advertising in the beekeeping field. We realize publications
cannot possibly separate all the promotional wheat from the chaff, but we cannot condone that a
prominent disclaimer clause is lacking in much current advertising.
As always,
A.m. (Apis mellifera)
On Bears:
It is not often we bees come to the defense of our enemies. But in this complex world at times, the shoe
is on the other foot, and an enemy indirectly becomes a friend. The board of directors, therefore, has
asked me to give you our analysis of the relationship between bees and bears.
Frequently at bee meetings the remark is made that the only good bear is a dead bear. This is strong talk
and stems from a like emotion. It reflects the visual and other sensory impact when one enters a bee
yard that has been visited by a marauding bear. The mammal leaves a great deal of damage in its wake,
strewing equipment everywhere in search of its favorite foods, honey and brood.
Being on the receiving end of the predator prey relationship we bees naturally take a dim view of
bears. However, these furry beasts, although not insects, have much common with us. It appears, sad to
say, we may need bears perhaps more than they need us.
Actually we bees see humans as more at fault in this than our shaggy nemesis. Bears after all bring bees
closer to them than nature ever intended in this human-managed modern world, now called the
Anthropocene. We need them as much as they need us due effects of the drastic urbanization, forest
clear cutting, large-scale agriculture and expansive highway construction squeezing us into smaller and
smaller habitat. The inevitable effect, more bear and bee interaction, resulting in bad news for
beekeeper and honey bee.
We definitely would like to see bear depredation discontinue, but not at the expense of eliminating the
bear. Like it or not, we bees are a minority and our work, valuable though it is, largely goes unnoticed.
Bears on the other hand are harder to ignore. Theyre bigger, louder and lots of children play with
stuffed animals modeled on them. How many human children do you know that play with stuffed
honey bees? So if we bees are killed off by pesticides on even bears, who beside we and the beekeeper
knows or cares? But let it be known that bears are disappearing or not well cared for and see the result.
Good bear habitat is usually good bee habitat. And bears require a lot of room. Saving bear habitat for
hunters, preserving natural habitat, and perhaps populating zoos is a positive step in saving bee forage
from depredation by humans. So in answer to the question, can we live with bears? We say yes. We
have coexisted with these creatures for years. Though they may be responsible for eating our honey and
brood, we can live with that. And maybe you didnt notice that one of the most popular honey bottles
come in the shape of a bear.
As always,
A.m. (Apis mellifera)
On Pollination:
The board of directors has asked me to once again put pen to paper about our concerns. We have been
listening of late to the whys and wherefores of our importance. Of course, most of you are aware of our
honey-, beeswax-, and royal jelly-making activities, not to mention the collection of pollen and
propolis, which are important to both bee and human communities. But our major importance,
according to those touting our primary strength, is propagating plants so important to the human food
supply via pollination.
No less than ninety agricultural crops are often listed as benefited by us as we search for nectar and
pollen among their blossoms. This pollinating activity has been estimated to be anywhere from ten to
twenty times the value of our most important productshoney and beeswax. All told, we are said to be
responsible for approximately one-third of the United States food supply. We are no little puffed up
with importance over this. But like so many good things, our abilities can be exaggerated out of
proportion. In the long run, this can have adverse consequences on the credibility of the above
statements. To say, or even hint, as some are wont to do, that without honey bees there would be some
sort of food shortage either in the United States or the world is simply not telling it like it really is.
And we can say pretty conclusively that the quote often repeated and reputed to come from Einstein
concerning the fate of humanitys food supply should honey bees not be present is pure fabrication.
Unfortunately, the fact is that the majority of most of the world human food crops is not insect-
pollinated to any degree and thus not benefited by us hardly a wit. The twelve foodstuffs on which the
human world survives are either grains like wheat, rye, barley, millet, sorghum, rice and corn, or stems
and roots such as potatoes, sweet potatoes and cassava. Bananas and coconuts round the list to an even
dozen.
Quantity aside, we take considerable pride in providing diversity and quality. Take, for example our
most valuable and dependent crop on pollination in the United States, almonds. Life could go on
without almonds in the human world we suppose, but for some it would certainly be less enjoyable
without these scrumptious, plump bits, or the desserts dessert dishes they so exquisitely compliment.
Without our considerable efforts, fruits like apples, cherries, peaches, plums, and black or blueberries
would be fewer and inferior in quality. Furthermore, the cucurbits like squash, pumpkin, and
cucumbers would be in shorter supply each year as the wild pollinator habitats have been
systematically destroyed by pesticide application and large-scale human agriculture. And what about
sunflowers, soybeans, rape and peanuts? Our labors also have just begun to be realized as important in
hybridizing certain crops like cotton and onions.
Finally, meat production could well suffer for lack of top-grade nutrition provided by forage crops like
alfalfa which we pollinate. Nitrogen fixation may also be reduced because those unique legumes like
alfalfa, clover and vetch, which attract us bees in droves, and provide such good nectar and need
pollination for propagation.
Perhaps our greatest value has yet to be realized perpetuating diversity in plant species by cross
pollination, a hedge against humanitys age-old agricultural practice of simplifying agriculture by
narrowing the genetic base. In summary, our advice is to praise the quality inherent in our pollination
efforts, as well as their in diversification and hybridization potential. Concentrating on quantity may
leave us with insufficient evidence in the future to guarantee our survival.
As always,
A.m. (Apis mellifera)
On Honey and Sugar:
A spate of debate has brought out of seclusion an age-old, time-worn topic that concerns the board of
directors. Whether honey is better than sugar. The arguments on both sides are legion. One school
believes honey is a complete (some say perfect) food that contains not only carbohydrates, but
minerals, vitamins, and amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Sugar on the other hand is so-
called empty calories. The other side says that honey is basically all sugar, and sugar is sugar is
sugar, so their should be no conflict?
Digging deeper, others claim that honey is not just sugar, but a mixture of simple sugars broken down
from complex carbohydrates and ready to go to work in the human system. They point to famous
athletes and others engaged in strenuous physical activity who get a real charge out of eating honey.
Maybe so responds the other side, but sugar (sucrose) too can be broken down by the human body into
the simple sugars found in honey. In addition, theres now evidence that the human body preferentially
obsorbs the simple sugars that it itself has broken down rather than those directly ingested from outside
sources. And so on. And so on. And so on.
We bees would like to insert our two cents worth into the discussion and help beekeepers and others
look at the controversy differentlyfrom an economic as opposed to a nutritional perspective. Now we
know honey costs more money than sugar in the store, but is it really more expensive? Money is a
human invention; we bees refuse to use the stuff. Instead we prefer another universal measure of value,
energy expenditure.
It takes energy to do things in this world. All energy comes from the sun, and is incorporated initially
into plant materials through photosynthesis, which is then exploited by bees, humans and all other life
on this planet. Plants expend energy to grow ; we bees need energy to fly, collect nectar and pollen and
process hard-won gain. Perhaps our most expensive energy cost is evaporation of water from nectar (70
percent moisture) to the final product, honey (19 percent water).
The energy expense to the beekeeper is labor in managing and harvesting the crop, and mechanical or
fossil fuel in heating, filtering, bottling and transporting the sweet for eventual sale. The energy costs in
honey production are indeed significant, but pale in comparison to those for processing the sugar from
beets or cane. The ground must be prepared,the plant grown and harvested, and sugar refined into a
processable commodity. All this takes a great deal of energy, before a further expense comes into play
later, however, evaporating the water off before being sold. Add to this the fact that raw product often is
transported long distances to centralized refineries at significantly more energy cost.
So why does sugar still cost less at the store? Because so many of its production expenses are
externalized; they dont find their way into the accounting books or balance sheets as monetary costs
for humanity. Instead these become environmental costs that are looked at as free, but can result in
air pollution, solid waste disposal, or social costs, and resultant unemployment due to centralized,
technological or machine processing. Finally, land-use policy favoring large-scale producers can often
force small producers off the land and into the unemployment lines with large social costs that are
shouldered by society as a whole, and not listed on any balance sheet.
In the final analysis, we conclude that honey production is far less expensive in capital expense and
energy than sugar. It employs more people (labor intensive) and is environmentally less costly with a
minimal carbon footprint. Now which is better, honey or sugar?
As always,
A.m. (Apis mellifera)