Warning I’ve gone full geek for this one.
Bee Manual – the blurb
The Bee Manual offers a clear and concise introduction into the fascinating world of the honey bee and the addictive craft of beekeeping. For various reasons, the number of bee colonies has been declining and there is great interest in trying to aid their recovery. Anyone wanting to keep bees first needs to learn about the individuals, how colonies operate and how the beekeeper can work with these insects to help them thrive, carry out their pollination activities and produce a satisfying honey crop. Full of color photos and clear step-by-step text, this book offers practical advice for anyone planning to take up this absorbing hobby.
To Bee of not to Bee
I’ll admit a bee keeping manual isn’t every book bloggers first choice but Book Social has always been about books I have read rather than what I thought I should be reading. Having received a Bee Hive for Christmas (bloody flatpacked! I’m having to use a hammer and everything) I decided it was time to join my local bee keeping association and do some swotting up. My lovely bee keeping friend gave me the Manual as a present and it seemed like a perfect start. I’d read a similar book previously and came out of it more confused than ever – what was a super? Why did I need to exclude the Queen but then not have a hive without one? Well the Manual answered all that and more. It was really clear with step by step instructions, diagrams and lots of color photos. I’m still not sure if I am going to be able to tell the difference between capped drone and worker larvae but at least I now know there is a difference and know what to look for. I’m sure the Manual is one I’m going to refer back to many times over and will become honey sticky with use. No better compliment for a book about bees than that!
