_________is the maintenance of lives of honey bees for the production of honey.

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks for a term that describes the maintenance of honey bees specifically for honey production.

2. **Identifying the Term**: The correct term for the maintenance of honey bees is "apiculture." This term is also commonly known as beekeeping.

3. **Explaining Apiculture**: Apiculture involves the practice of keeping bees in man-made hives. Beekeepers manage these hives to ensure the health and productivity of the bees.

4. **The Role of Flowers**: Farmers often grow flowers in their fields, which attract bees. The presence of flowers is crucial as bees collect nectar and pollen from them.

5. **Process of Beekeeping**: Beekeepers set up man-made bee hives in their fields. They attract bees by trapping a queen bee, which leads other bees to the hive.

6. **Benefits of Apiculture**:
- **Pollination**: Bees play a vital role in pollinating flowers, which is essential for the reproduction of many plants.
- **Honey Production**: In return for pollinating the flowers, bees collect nectar, which they convert into honey, providing an additional source of income for farmers.

7. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the answer to the question is "apiculture," which is the maintenance of the lives of honey bees for the production of honey.

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