> Queens used to be sold as "tested," meaning that the producer saw a solid sealed brood pattern.  
> When was that? 

It was in the 1800s, when folks were trying to convert from black bees to Italians. Henry Alley described the range of queen from "tested" -- on down to: "Dollar queens are those sent out as soon as they commence to lay. They are not guaranteed in any respect." The only change is now they go for thirty dollars.

By the way, the definition of "tested" is a lot more comprehensive than the above quote. But never mind, none of the queens sold now are "tested" anyway.

Alley, H. (1885). The Beekeeper's Handy Book: Or, Twenty-two Years' Experience in Queen-rearing, Containing the Only Scientific and Practical Method of Rearing Queen Bees and the Latest and Best Methods for the General Management of the Apiary. The author.

             ***********************************************
The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned
LISTSERV(R) list management software.  For more information, go to:
http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html