Bookshelf

Bees and beekeeping: science, practice and world resources

by Eva Crane (1990) 614 pages Hardback

NOW AT NEW LOW PRICE £54.50 EXCELLENT VALUE

Nectar and pollen plants of China

by Xu Wanlin (1993) 533 pages Hardback

NOW BACK IN STOCK £45.00

Apiculture in China

by Chen YaoChun (1993) 180 pages Hardback

NOW BACK IN STOCK £28.00

Swarming: its control and prevention

by Snelgrove

Bee Books New and Old, Bridgwater, United Kingdom (1995) 110 pages. Paperback

First published in 1934, the 14th edition of this classic is now available from Bees for Development (see Books to Buy) price £6.50.

The book relates to frame hive beekeeping techniques.

The bee book: beekeeping in the warmer areas of Australia

by Peter Warhurst and Roger Goebel

Department of Primary Industries, Queensland, Australia (1995) 244 pages. Paperback. Available from Bees for Development (see Books to Buy) price £52.00

This book describes how to practise beekeeping in parts of Australia with subtropical and tropical climates. There is minimal need for over-wintering practices and plenty of bee forage available. The major problems concern the rapid deterioration of equipment in hot climates, and the harvesting of honey with high moisture content. This is well-produced text concisely relating much information and with plenty of illustrations. The beekeeping described is mainly large- scale and highly mechanised, and there are clear descriptions of the processes involved.

Included in the chapter “Exotic diseases and pests” there is discussion of the possibility of African and Asian honeybees entering Australia. There is also short chapter on Australian native bees.

Ecolabelling and international trade

by Venna Jha, René Vossenaar, Simonetta Zarrilli

UNCTAD, Geneva, Switzerland (1993) 45 pages. Available from: UNCTAD Editorial Board, Switzerland

Environmental labelling, or ecolabelling means the use of labels to inform consumers that labelled product is more environmentally friendly than other products of the same category. Such labels are granted by a government or private agency, and are seen as market-orientated statement of environmental policy. The labels should reflect the ecological impact of product during its life, from a production, through distribution, use or consumption, to disposal.

This discussion paper gives information which is generally applicable: it does not mention honey or bee products specifically.

Apicultura practica en América Latina

by Luis Guillermo Cornejo

FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin 105, Rome, Italy (1993) 167 pages. Paperback. In Spanish. Available from Bees for Development (see Books to Buy) price £15.00

This is a standard text describing current beekeeping in South America. It begins with a description of the anatomy and biology of the honeybee and proceeds to describe beekeeping equipment and practises. Details of queen rearing and instrumental insemination are given. Harvesting of hone wax, royal jelly, pollen and propolis are described. This A4-size paperback has 167 pages and the text is illustrated by 246 black and white diagrams and photographs: unfortunately the quality of some pictures is poor.

Control de calidad de la miel y la cera

by Bianchi

FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin 68/3, Rome, Italy (1990) 69 pages. Paperback. In Spanish. Available from Bees for Development (see Books to Buy) price £5.50

This paperback gives useful details of how to carry out the laboratory procedures to assess honey and beeswax quality. An English language version is in preparation.

The cultural dimension of development: indigenous knowledge systems

by Michael Warren, Jan Slikkerveer and David Brokensha

Intermediate Technology Publications Ltd, London, United Kingdom (1995) 582 pages. Paperback. Available from Bees for Development (see Books to Buy) price £19.95

Recognising indigenous knowledge is not just case of accepting that poor people have skills, but of recognising that people have the skill to innovate, to find solutions to changing situations.

This paperback of almost 600 pages is presentation of evidence. It gives carefully researched information from many countries, demonstrating the value and usefulness of indigenous knowledge. It does not argue that poor and rural people always know best: there are spheres in which modern scientific knowledge is advantageous. Yet, this advantage has been assumed to be almost universal. This book shows that in many fields, indigenous knowledge is far more relevant, valid and useful than had been supposed.

This book has 47 chapters describing studies in different countries (non relate specifically to beekeeping). Very good value!

Insect conservation biology

by Michael J Samways

Chapman Hall, London, United Kingdom (1995) 385 pages Paperback. Available from Bees for Development (see Books to Buy) price £20.00

Insect Conservation Biology is an academic text covering wide range of topics from single species to landscape conservation, from rare butterflies to the benefits and risk of biocontrol.

The book sets out all the arguments in a logical way. It begins by setting the scene: insects are disappearing at the rate of thousands of species each year. It then goes to give the scientific basis for saving as many insect populations, species and habitats as possible. Finally, advice is given on restoration ecology to stop the loss of insect species.

Control de calidad de la miel y la cera

by E M Bianchi

FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin 68/3, Rome, Italy (1990) 69 pages. Paperback. In Spanish. Available from Bees for Development (see Books to Buy) price £5.50

This paperback gives useful details of how to carry out the laboratory procedures to assess honey and beeswax quality. An English language version is in preparation.

Videos to Buy

Rafter beekeeping in Vietnam

by Phung Hun Chinh, Nguuen Quang Tan and Pham Hong Thai

Bee Research Development Centre, Hanoi, Vietnam (1995) VHS Running time 30 minutes. Available from Bees for Development price £24.85 including postage and packing

B&D professes to bring you the best views on beekeeping and this gold medal winner from Apimondia 1995 certainly does just that!

Clear camera work and carefully-prepared and narrated script provide an interesting and informative explanation of the Melaleuca swamp, and the rafter beekeeping famous in the area.

We are introduced to the Mekong Delta region, which has been greatly affected by war and deforestation. The economic aspects of the honey and white wax collected from Apis dorsata are explained.

Next is section on the Apis dorsata colony and how it functions. Finally a description of why raftering developed, how the rafters are constructed, and the research underway to improve techniques.

Produced with funding from KWT Netherlands and BEENET Asia, the Technical Advisor is beekeeping expert Vincent Mulder.

African honeybees how to handle them in top-bar hives

Produced with financial and logistic support from the German Development Service, Lusaka, Zambia. Script by Bernhard Clauss. Camera, editing, narration by Reinald Doebel (1995) VHS-PAL Running time 22 minutes. Available from Bees for Development price £19.65 including postage and packing

An informative introduction to managing African bees in top-bar hives.

The film explains that, as in all beekeeping, what is needed most of all is patience and gentle behaviour from the beekeeper! Another vital ingredient is plenty of cool smoke.

There are excellent tips on how this should be used to the best advantage. We are shown that top-bar hives can be produced using local materials providing care is taken to guard against local pests. Also how to collect a swarm and introduce it to your top-bar hive.

This is a very good training film it easily holds attention for its short running time, but messages are clearly put across.

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