I've hung around here long enough to see a number examples of beekeeper of
self-delusion, everything from "small cell", to "screened bottoms (as a
varroa control in itself rather than a varroa monitoring tool), "food grade
mineral oil fogging", to "powdered sugar dump-n-brush".  All of them may
have seemed plausible, and they might have seemed more plausible when
"tested" in "trials" that lacked the key factor of statistical significance.

Agreed,  But every single one of them was worth investigating. That is the
entire point of advancement and science.  Science is in no way a answer.
What science is, is a bunch of what others consider nonsense, tested and
tried until it is show to be correct.  Take the science of insilun for
example.  Had you mentioned takeing chemicals from a cow to cure a human in
1912,  Jail may have been in order....  yet the crazy theory worked with
some trial and error,  but an  "non scientist" (and some help)

I will point out that self-delusion is more dangerous
than the hucksterism of the charlatans.  

Self delusion is dangerous....... and so is self grandure....



To test different hives, they need to be studied in the same apiary, under
the same management, with a minimum of between ten and twelve hives in each
system, over a period of ten years. Put another way, it is necessary that
these hives be in an identical situation and that they will give a true
average.  

Ahh James you missed that several locations aspect.  After all beekeeping is
local!


As amateurs do such experiments, they get great satisfaction. Such
experiments have provided even myself with many enjoyable hours. 

What more is there to life than this?  Testing it shall be fun.  That's why
I plopped down my 40.00  Win lose or draw!.....


We,  heck  I probably don't even belong in that "we" group.  As scientist
and Engineers, should not throw out ideas of others without consideration.
That would be folly.  I daresay most in these two groups are in no way
innovators.  In fact really there are Darn few actually innovators out
there.  Most do not come from these two intellectual groups, but do relie on
them for support.

Come on James,  its Christmas season,  put down the spiked eggnog and dance
a little!!!!!!!

Charles

             ***********************************************
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