For Beekeepers to be able now to rely, for an indefinite number of years to come, upon the regular annual availability, in May and June, of a huge new nectar source, is for them an historic advance. The pattern of work through the beekeeping year is changed by it and a new yearly flow of nectar and honey is in prospect with a yield comparable to that from heather. This volume is essential reading for all those within flying distance of the rape fields or who are considering taking their bees to the rape.

This short account is an attempt to draw together, from a number of scattered sources, information for beekeepers about oilseed rape and its relationship to bees and bee-keeping. It is based on authoritative accounts in various special fields, all of which are identified at suitable places in the text.

A special debt is owed to particular individuals with extensive practical experience who generously gave of their time and expertise in describing and discussing the opportunities and problems which oilseed rape presents to the apiarist. They are Rev. F. Cordingley, Malton; Brian Eade, Mountain Grey Apiaries, Goole; W. S. Robson Jun., Chain Bridge Honey Farm, Horncliffe, Berwickshire (in his lecture at the Inter-College Conference, Craibstone, Aberdeen on September 1, 1984); Barry Potter, Senior Lecturer in Horticulture and lecturer in beekeeping, Askham Bryan College of Agriculture, York and members of the staff of A.I.S (Brown Butlin) Ltd., Selby. The latter sections, 'From the apiarists viewpoint' and 'Bees and Crop Protection' rely almost entirely upon their contributions.