Longtime flower show fans know that the Gardener's Studio in the middle of the floor is a welcome respite. You can sit yourself down and listen to short lectures on a variety of topics. Today I heard Jim Bobb of Worcester Honey Farms. Didn't stay for the whole talk but in just a few minutes I learned some fun facts about bees: Skunks like to eat them by the hundreds, for example. Jim puts his bee boxes up high, forcing the skunks to stand on two legs. This leaves them vulnerable to bee stings on their stomachs, where they're extra sensitive. Nature is ingenious, isn't it?

Also, he says bees are politically correct; they're vegetarians. And if you get stung, first thing you do is use your fingernail to scrape the stinger away. You can also use a credit card, one of the few acceptable uses in these lean times. The normal reaction to a sting is swelling. If your arm goes numb or you start having trouble breathing, you're allergic. Time to get help asap.

Someone asked Jim if the stings hurt. "The first sting each year hurts," he replied. "The next 30,000 don't." He sticks his hand inside those hives a lot, I guess.

Hives can contain about 60,000 bees and guess who does all the work? Surprise: the women. "This," Jim said, "is the perfect society." I don't think so. But as he says, "Bees are the most amazing creatures."

Chester County bee keepers have an exhibit here at the show. I'm going to check it out. Also, get a copy of the flower show events schedule when you first come in. Still to come today .. talks on trees, worm castings, using recycled materials in the garden, and gardening with herbs. That's just one afternoon. Ciao!