The blog post does explain how the mostly "leave-alone" practices of the prior centuries often resulted in losses that were often just as bad as the losses we see today, It does not. Only a very superficial reading of it would produce that impression. Here is a direct quote: His eminent success in re-establishing his stock after suffering so heavily from the devastating pestilence -- in short the recuperative power of the system demonstrates conclusively, that it furnishes the best, perhaps the only means of reinstating bee-culture to a profitable branch of rural economy. Dzierzon modestly disclaimed the idea of having attained perfection in his hive. He dwelt rather upon the truth and importance of his theory and system of management. (Langstroth, 1853) This paragraph stresses "the importance of his theory and system of management." Nothing in implies or suggests "leave alone." Peter Loring Borst *********************************************** 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