Hi James & All,

>   I will
> likely raise a few queens from my large hive this year but do no want
> an
> aggressive bee yard.
>

In my opinion, I think at this stage in the game of developing a localized
strain of bees that will survive in your location without treatments would
be to go ahead and raise and mate queens from this strong survivor you have
presently. Later in the game you can select for gentleness. I would not lose
this genetic treasure that is surviving strong without chemicals. The bees
need survival to be their top priority and not what the beekeeper feels is
best for the beekeeper. Like Mike P. in Vermont says "Bees make better
Beekeepers than Beekeepers make Bees." What I mean to say is, follow the
bees not the beekeepers. It is being suggested that you kill this queen and
replace her with another queen; the new queen may not have the same survivor
qualities and a true treasure can be lost at a loss to the beekeeper. If you
do throw out this queen toss her my way gently and I will treasure her.

Mike P., I hope you do not mind me using your quote, it seems to me to
apply.

 . ..   Keith Malone, Chugiak, Alaska USA, http://www.cer.org/,
c(((([ , Apiarian, http://takeoff.to/alaskahoney/,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/akbeekeepers/ ,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Norlandbeekeepers/ ,
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ApiarianBreedersGuild/

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