----- Original Message -----
From: "James Fischer" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 12, 2004 11:42 PM
Subject: Re: [BEE-L] Actions and reactions

>
> These folks cannot be blamed for having "learned" how to keep
> bees under conditions that everyone with longer experience
> would consider "extreme".  What "worked" for them in 2000 - 2003
> would have been anything but "optimal" in 2004, and none of these
> years will be a basis for success this year, assuming that we will
> be "back to normal precipitation".  Regardless of how "good" their
> data and statistics might be, their entire data sample is not just
> skewed, it is completely warped.

 Jim and All,
 Over the years on the Bee-L we have had many threads about different stocks
and practices.I have enjoyed reading them , but looked at them with caution.
What works well in one environment may not in another.
Over time , we work up what works well with the norm in our area.
Beekeeping has no magic bullet.  It takes time and a lot of observation to
get a real
understanding of the complexities of beekeeping.
I have used cedar and found that the bees liked it. Cedar shrinks over time.
Box to box bee space changes. You have a plus and a minus. That holds true
with
a lot of beekeeping.
I'm learning all the time. 36 years with the bees and I have gained a little
understanding.
More of what I don't know , than what I know.
 The winter of 2002-2003 I lost 5% of my hives. 2003- 2004 I lost 30%. I did
everything the same both years.
The one outstanding variable was the fireweed bloom in the fall. It dried up
last summer before the bees
filled up there winter stores.Good light honey is wonderful winter stores.
They got into some aster and pine
last fall. Not good honey stores for winter.
 One must pay attention to what is going on in the hives, ALL the time.We
all learn that way.
Best Regards
Roy

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