Well written guide for new beekeepers, the focus of this book is on the practical aspects of beekeeping and what beekeepers need to do month by month. Describes the honey bee colony and the function of the queen, worker and drones. There is a summary of the requirements for an apiary site, a description of the pros and cons of some of the equipment choices as well as a comprehensive list of equipment needed to make a start. Tasks include marking the queen, making up a nucleus and selective queen rearing. It also includes information on preparing clear and soft set honey, making mead and beeswax candles. Bee health matters include an introduction to pests and diseases with pictures and guidance about when to seek expert advice.

The month by month accounts start with August, considering this to be the beginning of the beekeeping year. For each month, a description of what the bees are likely to be doing in the colony is followed by beekeeping tasks, linking the work of the beekeeper to the needs of the bees.
With colour photos and a few illustrations. ( )