--- allen dick <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> I'd like to hear from diverse list members why they
> keep bees, what their
> principles are and what their goals are.
>
I'm strictly a hobbyist beekeeper - I've had 1-3 hives
for three years.  I keep bees because I'm fascinated
by their behavior, because my wife and I are avid
gardeners, and because I love honey, and find the
fresh raw honey to be far superior to what can be
purchased in most stores.  I enjoy the ceremony
involved in harvesting the small amount of honey that
I take, and the looks on the faces of family and
friends when presented with a bottle with my label on
it.  I have no plans to sell honey.
I decided early on that I wasn't going to treat the
hives with chemicals.  This of course has consequences
- I bought two packages this spring.  I use screened
bottom boards, and am contemplating using Sucrocide.
I do some basic manuevers (switching upper and lower
deeps, early supering, cutting out swarm cells when I
see them) to alleviate the urge to swarm, but don't
really worry too much about it - my loss is the local
ecosystem's gain.  I've had both Italians and Russians
- the Russians have done better for me but I may
switch again (would like to try Carniolans) because I
also find the Russians to be more defensive.
I read ABJ and Bee Culture, and greatly enjoy Bee-L.
I don't by any means find all of the posts relevant to
my world, but have gotten some good ideas and learned
from other's experiences.
-Lee McMurtry
Northern California


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