From: "huestis" <buzzybee@capital.net>
Date: Thu, 17 May 2001 09:08:33 -0700
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Strain

Hi Joel,

> My concept is to give new frames with 1/4 sheet of 4.9 foundation every
> three weeks, as a new cycle of bees is working the comb. I had thought to
> add 3 more frames with 1/2 sheet of 4.9 foundation in another 3 weeks with
> the next cycle. Then three weeks later three more frames with a full sheet
> of 4.9, each time moving the completed combs with their brood up a chamber,
> above an excluder. I was hoping that the succesive generations born in the
> newer combs would bee somewhat downsized and would do a better job of
> drawing out the comb to 4.9 cells. As each graduated step of foundation was

As you know as the season progresses it will get harder and harder to draw
out correct foundation. On my first regressions this season I used 1-2 inch
starter strips. I find this to slow for comb drawing. On my last colony I
regressed I used full sheets of foundation. When using strips the bees seem
to follow the pattern given. However on some colonies as soon as they ran
out of strip they went larger others did not. My plan: give them the full
pattern. It is more economical on time and wax production. Not on the
pocket. Yet, good comb is gold to a beekeeper. As for your installment
method I have thought about this. Use all frames in hive body when
installing packages. Bees won't use them all at the beginning . You need
to see what they draw in the first place to see where you're at. Remove
after. My question: by limiting the number of frames you let them draw in
installments what effect does it have on population growth? Then on your
ability to over winter? I would let them go at there own speed without any
limitations of comb numbers. Winter will be back before you know it.

Clay- Thinking ahead (cold season)!