The following article by Ron Brown presents highlights from a lecture given at the Devon Beekeepers' Association/IBRA meeting at Seale-Hayne Agricultural College last year. Ron Brown began beekeeping in Zambia in 1952 and continued when he moved back to the UK in 1964. He served as County President of Devon BKA from 1982–1985 and edited their magazine‘Beekeeping’for several years. He is the author of a number of books including 'Beekeeping—a seasonal guide',‘Beeswax’and 'Honey bees: a guide to management'.