David Eyre wrote:
 
> >From across the pond comes some common sense. As a queen
> breeder/rearer I have been qestioning the sense of using Southern
> queens in Northern areas. In fact it was the basis of a talk I gave at
> EAS this summer.
>                 It hardly makes any sense to use semi-tropical bees in our
> harsh winters. As a gardener I know that I can't grow oranges up
> here, so what makes me think 'orange grown' bees will do well up
> here?
 
However, as a matter of fact it does work, and it works well.  Northern grown
queens are just not ready to install the last week of April.  And as for the point
about wintering - these queens and their progeny will winter just fine if they are
kept healthy.  The last argument made here is precisely like comparing "apples
(bees) and oranges".
 
Ted Fischer
Dexter, Michigan USA