From: "deelusbybeekeeper" <deelusbybeekeeper@excelonline.com>
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 21:24:13 -0800
To: <BiologicalBeekeeping@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: Re: Sugar and wintering

Robert wrote:
> Received wisdom says that the bees will do better on refined sugar as it
> contains no solids, so they will not need to make cleansing flights so often,
> and are less likely to suffer from dysentery when they can't get out of the
> hive during long periods of bad weather.

Reply:
Specificially, where is this received wisdom from that refined sugar
(bleached white?) is better then honey? Didn't know that bees refined sugar
in preference to honey. Canot picture research being done saying this, but
then I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time!

> On the other hand, there is
> anecdotal evidence that some strains of bees will do better wintering on
> heather honey, which contains high quantities of solids (2% protein if I
> remember right). Could it be that the problem is due to non-adapted hybrids
> which have problems with our winters?

Reply:
Can you say and describe what this anecdotal evidence is? Also can you
specify these non-adapted hybrids more and their problems with your winters?

Regards,

Dee