From: "Helmut,E.Garz" <hommes@olympus.net>
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 2001 11:52:39 -0800
To: BiologicalBeekeeping@egroups.com
Subject: Re: cell size in supers

Hi to all and specs to Eric.
The area we live is in the very northwest corner of the state of Wa.
The feral colonies were housed in either "Bee trees" or other locales
Not in the vicinity of "domestic" Hives , i.e. Under bridges , etc.
from where swarms were caught and propagated by our local breeder.
Under bee trees we understand also old rotten stumps of trees having
been so called "Harvested" years ago.
The other sources derive from "domestic" colonies which settled
themselves in attics , walls ,chimneys and soffits of houses. These can
be either newly settled or there for a long time. Obviously , no old
frames or foundations are to be located in all of these environs.
The race origin is usually a very mixed one since propagation is
totally beyond human interference.As time goes by the tendency of the
darker side of color appears to be dominant.
Since beekeepers constantly have to replenish their stock relatively
often due to a variable cause , the most imported packages are the so
called italians or caucasians / Carnica.
And of course the rest of hybrids. I am still puzzled about one swarm I
picked up , but past on to another beekeeper , which consisted of VERY
yellow/ golden bees of extreme docile nature .This swarm absconded
shortly after hiving.They had relatively long hairs of note. Somebody
identified them allegedly as a hybrid from Australia.
Regrettably No keeper incl. I ever dreamed of checking cell sizes. I
only did this once and I have posted the results.
On the other side of the coin there seems to be a reluctance of bees to
accept , even over time, the smaller cell size. But the story on that is
not all told.
We have to consider different climatic influences within this whole
sceeme.Whilst I observed the reduction in my apiary , some others do not.
I have a problem with Nosema although Fumidil was administered to save
the few colonies I have.
One of the lessons learned from the history of those "feral" colonies
which according to loose estimates dates back at least 50 years is the
fact that they SURVIVED all onslaughts of bugs , fungi and bacteria
without the applications of any kind of medication or the "Management "
of man.
In how far the inbreeding question is solved : We have to leave it to
the bees as it apparently was well taken care of by the critters. As a
matter of fact Dr Sheppard of WSU has determined that the above
mentioned feral race is genetically different of what is our run of the
mill races.
I wish I could be more precise. One thing I want to elaborate shortly is
the tendency of the research people to advertise their findings but very
little is done to solve the problem of the bee keeper.
For instance : A Bacterium or fungi was discovered to treat
biologically chalk brood. That's all very nice , but where can I buy a
pound of the stuff to treat with ?
Now , after 95 years or so we found out that there are more haploo'es
than you can shake stick at . But , so what ? , It does not help me one
iota NOW !.
However I read the other day some discovery and somebody is doing the
manufacturing of the remedy. NOW THAT is much better and I hope it
continues.
My bottom line is still with the Lusbys which looks to me as the
principle of the fittest survives. But it can be darn expensive.
Other than that , Since I am still constantly nosy , I will apply FGMO
to some colonies and nothing any more for the "control" colonies.
Right now I need o lot of queens and I certainly will apply some of
them from regional stock which proved to me very hardy , prolific and
overall very conducive to work with, although one is advised to wear a
suit and veil.
Happy beeing
Helmut,Eric Garz