About the Author
A beekeeper for over 13 years, author Richard E. Bonney owns Charlemont Apiaries in Charlemont, Massachusetts. He has authored two books, Hive Management and Beekeeping, which reviewers such as The Speedy Bee have given much praise: "Delightfully readable...full of answers...written in a refreshing and authoritative way that demonstrates the depth of the author's experience... [Bonney provides] the kind of information one needs to understand beekeeping." The Library Journal has also complimented the book: "This useful book is crammed with helpful hints... [Bonney] discusses the 'hows' and, most important, the 'whys' of effective hive management." Richard is a beekeeping teacher at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He was named the Massachusetts Extension Specialist-Apiculture in 1991 and writes regularly about beekeeping.

ANNOTATION

Here are practical methods for coping with today's greatest concerns, including mites and Africanized bees.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

The beekeeper's year begins with a late winter hive inspection and ends with "putting the bees to bed" in the autumn. Richard Bonney believes that each beekeeping activity should be performed with an eye toward the overall well-being of the colony, as part of an integrated year-round program of hive management. Long-term success in beekeeping can only be achieved by understanding the intimate lives, behaviors, and motivations of honey bees — the factors which govern the life of each colony. Richard Bonney explains the reasons behind common practices that many beekeepers perform without really knowing why. He also stresses when to take timely actions that will prevent problems in future seasons. Hive Management offers concise, up-to-date information on the whole range of beekeeping tasks, including: — How to prevent, control, and capture swarms. — What you can tell from an outside inspection of your hives. — When and how to "take the crop" and harvest honey. — How to successfully requeen — from handling and marking queens to methods of introducing one into a hive. — The problem signs to look for when you open up a hive. For the practicing beekeeper who needs more information, or for the serious novice who wants to start out right, Hive Management offers sensible advice to help keep your honey bees thriving.

Author Biography: A beekeeper for over 13 years, author Richard E. Bonney owns Charlemont Apiaries in Charlemont, Massachusetts. He has authored two books, Hive Management and Beekeeping, which reviewers such as The Speedy Bee have given much praise: "Delightfully readable...full of answers...written in a refreshing and authoritative way that demonstrates the depth of the author's experience... [Bonney provides] the kind of information one needs to understand beekeeping." The Library Journal has also complimented the book: "This useful book is crammed with helpful hints... [Bonney] discusses the 'hows' and, most important, the 'whys' of effective hive management." Richard is a beekeeping teacher at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. He was named the Massachusetts Extension Specialist-Apiculture in 1991 and writes regularly about beekeeping.

SYNOPSIS