Abstract
THE British Beekeepers' Association, recently re-organised has now established a series of committees to pursue further the numerous interests of its members. Among these is a research committee the primary function of which is to foster co-operation in research, and to co-ordinate research activities. It seeks also the establishment of a clearing house for information and for the results of contemporary research. The object of bee-keeping is commonly regarded as the production of honey, but the national interest is even better served by the pollinating activities of the foragers, a service which has been reliably valued in Great Britain alone at £4,000,000 a year. At the same time, the craft affords a fascinating hobby for amateurs whose activities, being spread throughout the country, are of greater national importance, for the reason indicated, than are those of the commercial honey producers. The amateur finds not merely a hobby which may be turned to profit, but also an interest in many branches of science. Nevertheless, methods of management are subject to many errors due to tradition and pseudo-science. To deal with such matters, co-operation is essential, because there are so many variables that the individual can seldom conduct an experiment on an adequate scale and is too frequently deceived by an element of chance. Most that is known in the craft has been the result of the enthusiasm of independent observers. The British Beekeepers' Association's Research Committee realizes the importance of amateurs, and is anxious to get into contact with them whether members of the Association or not. The Committee is also hoping to get into touch with those concerned in researches in other fields which are of interest to beekeepers. Communications should be sent to the chairman of the Research Committee, Mr. E. B. Wedmore, Totease House, Buxted, Sussex.
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British Beekeepers' Association : Research Committee. Nature 158, 51 (1946). https://doi.org/10.1038/158051c0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/158051c0