On Tue, 13 May 2008 13:32:40 -0400, Bob Harrison <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>However despite the findings of Jerry there are still plenty of bees being
>kept on comb like Jerry describes and many of those guys have got the best
>bees ever this year.

 Over the last
>five years I have not spoke with a commercial beekeeper which has not seen
>some of the documented CCD symptoms in his bees.
>



having the best bees in years - what does that mean? does that mean they have decent hives 
going into the honey season and thats it?  the bigger question is how many of those are around in 
Jan for the pot o gold in CA? or next spring? 

to me the best bees in years means having a stable number of hives year around and never having 
to buy bees or brood. IMO the best bees are headed up by queens that last 3-5 years, can make a 
big honey crop and then winter over without crashing cause of mites or nosema etc. 

****************************************************
* General Information About BEE-L is available at: *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/default.htm   *
****************************************************