Publisher's Synopsis
The state insect of North Carolina, honeybees have long been prized. Honey is mentioned in the earliest history books and in the Bible. In the past, many farmers have maintained several hives of bees which provided sweetening for cooking and baking, in addition to its customary use as a complement to many kinds of bread. Currently, beekeeping is experiencing somewhat of a revival with everything from equipment to classes for beginner and experienced beekeepers readily available. This is good news when one considers that 40% of the world's food supply depends on pollination provided by honeybees! In this story, Joe and Papa race along, following the honeybee that Papa has marked with flour on its back, until they reach the bee tree. In the early 1900's, bee coursing was done to help locate bee trees. The method involved sprinkling flour on the bee's back, noting its direction as it left, and then marking the amount of time required for the bee to arrive back at the water source. This practice gave an estimate of the distance to the bee tree. Knowing that honeybees fly in a straight line (beeline) to their destination once airborne, bee keepers could follow the direction taken by the honeybee to find the bee tree and gather the sticky, delicious honey.
