From: Lucinda Sewell <lucindajohn@sewellhome.freeserve.co.uk>
Date: Tue Dec 19, 2000 5:24pm
Subject: Re: girls on small cells, regressing bees

Hello

Thanks all for good thoughts. I feel I must make my POV clear here, It is
Our fault, we humans, that bees are the way they are. But we do not condemn
the spoilt, one room reared child to death, for their characteristics. We
reinforce the good, try to minimise the bad. To a degree we have to play god
with the dumb animals we named, that is why we are the likeness. Shouldering
that responsibility, yet remaining good and true to our ideals is the whole
point. The question of degree. We also have to 'turn a buck'!

The fact our bees are in hives with removable frames places us lightyears
away from honey gatherers. Now beekeepers seem to be several: Hobbyists-
Income from colonies is not important; mixed husbandry- income from hives
supplements other farming or land based activity; beefarmer- screw it up and
you give it all back to the bank, or stop playing.

Those of us in any one group cannot compare our apples with others. Our
goals are different. Even in the same groups...starter farmer : pro farmer
we see it all different, and can afford different luxuries. There are not
enough of us to divide! Natural, Biological principles are good. On that we
agree. Let's work out the how, I bet the why will become self evident.

G'night
There are far too many Christmas toy manufacturers and not enough
beekeepers!
Learner John