Besides working in agriculture and forestry, I began beekeeping as a hobby with great joy and interest. The two colonies I overwintered in 1958 could hardly be described as anything more than that.
The bees were kept in a three-tiered hive with a very small frame. This frame measured 23 cm by 18.5 cm. The bees seemed quite comfortable in these hives, and a small amount of honey could usually be harvested.
Because I took good care of my colonies, they swarmed frequently. Each swarm was set up anew. A different frame and a different hive box were used. It was a two-story hive with rear access. At that time, only a few beekeepers recommended a top-access hive. In 1965, I switched to the Langstroth hive. I also began raising queen bees.
From my perspective today, a crucial step was the switch from single-room to two-room overwintering in 1970. Another major change was the conversion of the frames to long-eared frames and the construction of high floors with bee-free bottom feeding.
With each innovation, it became possible to manage more colonies. This is how I gradually transitioned into full-time beekeeping. Attending the agricultural college at the Hohenlehen Forestry and Mountain Farming School provided me with specialized training in agriculture and forestry. In 1970, I passed the master beekeeper's examination at the beekeeping school in Wiener Neustadt. I have been a full-time beekeeper for over 20 years.