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BOOKSHELF offers you an invitation to reach potential readers in nearly every country of the world. To improve the network of information available on beekeeping and development our aim is to review as many books on the subject as we can. To help us please send copies of your publications to Bees for Development and we will do our best to review these in a future edition of this journal. We may also stock them for sale: we are particularly interested to expand our range of books and visual aids on tropical beekeeping.
by
B Free
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Academic Press, London, UK (1993 2nd edition) 684 pages. Hardback.
88.50
The amount of data contained in this revised and updated edition of Insect pollination of crops can be described as truly awesome. It is an extremely valuable compilation of current information for all who need to know about crop pollination. Approximately 3000 references are cited, and the pertinent information they contain is distilled in the text. The first part of the book describes insects and ways in which man can employ them to bring about pollination. Honeybees, bumble bees, solitary bees and other species are described. Usefully detailed information is given on how to conduct pollination studies. The second part of the book discusses crops (presented by family), their flower structure, insects which normally pollinate them, whether honeybees improve their pollination and if so, number of colonies needed per hectare. The behaviour of the insects on the crop, and the value of the crop (in terms of nectar and pollen) to honeybees is also given.
Understanding of the pollination science of temperate-zone crop plants is considerably greater than that of tropical crops. Throughout the book the author informs us when data is lacking. As just one example, no published information on the pollination of Euphoria longan could be found. Yet longan fruit is grown widely as a cash and export crop in south-east Asia and is known to benefit from honeybee pollination. Researched, documented and accessible information on the number of honeybee colonies required to achieve optimal pollination in this crop would be of value to both crop growers and beekeepers. represents Professor Free’s lifetime of both undertaking pollination research and bringing together the work of other scientists This is an important reference text and is likely to remain as one of the definitive works on the subject for many years. insect pollination of crops
by
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Madeley.
Intermediate Technology Publications, London,
UK
(1992) 160 pages. Paperback. 13.25
This is an interesting book, full of facts which illustrate the unjust nature of the current international trading system. It provides a good understanding of developing countries’ need for international trade, the major ‘commodities involved and why prices have declined.
The author argues that if developing countries co-operate amongst themselves they could command higher prices for important commodities. One sign of hope in recent years has been the growth of alternative trading organisations (ATOs) in the North which buy direct from producers and aim to offer them a better deal from international trade. A useful list of 49 ATOs is provided.
H Smith, T Williams, D L Plucknett, and J P Talbot
by
NJ
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Cornell University Press, Ithaca,
USA (1992)
568 pages. Paperback.
25.00
This book describes some of the abundant produce of tropical crops - drinks, fruit, starch, oil, resins, fuelwood, fodder, spices, timber and nuts.
The history of the domestication of various crops is given, their modern uses, and the known extent of their gene pools, both domesticated and in the wild. It is an informative guide to tropical products, providing fascinating details about well-known crops used all around the wurld, as well as those which are still only favoured locally. A list of over 200 perennial species (excluding medicinal and ornamental plants) includes many of our most widely used crops - citrus, cocoa, coffee, rubber - and reminds us of how many tropical forest plants have been domesticated. By contrast the forested areas of temperate and cold climates have provided only a handful of crops, such as apple, cherry, pear and some timber species. Tropical forests represent only 7% of the Earth's surface, but the rich diversity they support explains why tropical deforestation has far more serious consequences than destruction of a similar area of temperate forest.
This book will be much enjoyed by anyone interested in tropical forest products - it is well illustrated and fascinating to “dip into”. The pollination requirement of a crop is discussed where it is known. Honey and beeswax are clearly not considered as tropical forest crops within the remit of this book and are mentioned only in passing.
