[1][2] In Coxsackie, NY, he took on beekeeping in 1828 to complement his income and started experimenting with woodware and leveraging his woodworking skills.

[3] He earned a living in the early years by doing turning-lathe and cabinet work as well as building hives and other bee equipment.

I am glad to see resistance to them anywhere, not because they are always worthless, but because, generally speaking, they have been one unmitigated swindle.They had two children: He started experimenting with bees such as drilling holes in the top of hives.

He did not have much knowledge in the beginning but through careful scientific observation, an open mind, and time, he was able to become an expert beekeeper.

It is sub-titled as Being a Complete Analysis of the Whole Subject: Consisting of the Natural History of Bees, Directions for Obtaining the Greatest Amount of Pure Surplus Honey with the Least Possible Expense, Remedies for Losses Given, and the Science of “Luck” Fully Illustrated – the Result of More Than Twenty Years Experience in Extensive Apiaries[5][6][7] He shared in it his experience in beekeeping.

[6] He moved to St. Johnsville, NY with his family while in his 50s until his death, both for the vegetation, but also because his sister-in-law has married John Underhill, a tanner.

[3] In 1859, the first Italian bees (Apis mellifera ligustica) were successfully introduced to the United States.

Now if I have reasoned correctly in this matter – and my 40 years experience ought to tell me what to expect – there is the fairest chance for a future with the least labor and capital of anything of which I can conceive.

After his death in 1875, his son-in-law, Lyman C. Root, revised the book to bring it up to date and added more illustrations.

[15][16][17] The April 1, 1915, edition of Gleanings in Bee Culture was dedicated to his life and teachings in beekeeping.