From: Erik Osterlund <honeybee@elgon.se>
Date: Sat, 5 Jan 2002 18:48:34 +0100
To: BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Old mold in Germany

Hi all

Just talked to beekeeper in Germany, Manfred Deichmann, who also talks
Swedish, very handy. he subscribes on our Swedish bee journal Bitidningen
in which I wrote an article in the latest issue about Cowans book and small
cell size. Well, he got very interested and talked about it on a Buckfast
breeder meeting they've had recently. Then one huy there mentioned he made
his own foundation with the help of a very old mold. This guy had easily
seen that the cell size was much smaller on this mold, but he didn't care
as he didn't have to buy a new one, but could use this one, and the
foundation worked. Well, I think this is about the same many are thinking
about big cell sizes. Now this guy said an interesting thing he hadn't
before linked to the small cell size, but now did, when Manfred started
talking about it. He has always had a much lower downfall of mites after
treating, then all his neighbours an other beekeepers. And when he started
to give a lady beekeeper of his foundation, she has had the same
experience. Interesting isn't it? Now, I don't know the size of the cells
on this mold but they were easily recognized as smaller than 5.5 mm of this
beekeeper, even previously he was aware of this cell size discussion, so it
can't be just a minor difference. As they report no difficulties for the
bees to draw the foundation I guess 5 cells to the inch, 5.08 mm, or about
5.1, But I'm sure he will measure, so maybe I'll be able to tell you the
correct size.

Regards

Erik