Books published by Northern Bee Books

New Beekeeping records a search for the most suitable way to keep bees in the garden under modern conditions. It draws ideas from many past bee-masters to form a new overall approach. New Beekeeping manages bees within the natural patterns of colony life. Manipulations are used to influence the rate at which the colony matures, but the bees are never treated mechanically. The Author believes any colony which does not attempt to swarm when in the right condition is biologically decadent. The management methods both build large colonies and control the swarming instinct. A detailed plan of operation sets out how to manage a colony in twelve visits over a year.

This book is a synthesis of one recorder maker's approach to the subject, as well as a practical introduction to looking after the instrument. Unlike strings and orchestral winds, the skills of recorder making were largely lost after the 18th century, and have been rediscovered during the last fifty years. Nowadays, the market is supplied by a handful of individual makers scattered around the world. They are all single-minded, obsessive, independent, skilled workers, who combine the tasks of researcher, craftsman, salesman and musician in one. The author is proud to be one of them.

Colony structure and organization, physiological mechanisms of caste determination, the activities and adaptability of worker bees, temperature regulation, reproduction, seasonal cycle of activities, the special part that pheromones play in regulating colony activities, communication of the location of forage, principles of foraging behaviour.