This small cell test appeared in the September 2005
issue of Bee Culture, in the article
"Commercial Beekeeping in Norway"
by Hans-Otto  Johnsen

Me, nots responsible for typos. ;>)
But I typed the best I could.

Small Cell Test 2002-2004

The Test:

* 40 colonies were tested in the same apiary.
* 20  with cells 5.5mm measured in the broodnest.
known as "Big cell group".
* 20  with cells 4.9mm measured in the broodnest.
known as "Small cell group".
* All queens in the test apiary were sisters
and mated in the same apiary.
* when small cell colonies were given new foundation,
the large cell colonies where given the same.

Results:

* Throughout the season in 2004 the mite population
was significantly lower in the small cell group.

------>
* Big cell group: The natural mite downfall average
peaked at 7 mites per day, decreased and then
increased again.

* Small cell group: The natural mite downfall average
in the small cell group peaked with 2 mites per day
and then decreased steadily.

------>
* Large cell group: An alcohol wash in Autumn during
broodless period revealed 29% mites per 100 bees,  the
range was 3-64%.

* Small cell group: An alcohol wash in Autumn during
broodless period revealed 14% mites per 100 bees, the
range was 3-26%.

------>
* Large cell group:  The 3% colony in this group gave
a very small crop and was also weaker in strength.

* Small cell group: The 3% colony in in this group
gave an average crop.

------>
* Small cell group: Averaged about one box stronger at
peak strength in the middle of summer than the large
cell group.

------>
* Large cell group: Average honey crop was 79.2 lbs.
range 17.6 - 125.4 lbs.

* Small cell group: Average honey crop was 98.1 lbs.
range 50.7 - 136.6 lbs.  24% bigger than the large
cell group.

----->
* An interesting observation was that the honey from
each colony harvested the small cell group was more
even, besides the top colony and had few at the
bottom. The colonies with top crop were similar in
both groups.

----->
* Both groups were affected by chalkbrood.  But
anecdotal observation indicated that the large cell
group was more affected.

----->
* There was no observation that small cell size had
any negative effect on the performance of the bee
colony.

Thanks to Prof. Stig Omholt, Dee and Ed Lusby, Dr.
Eric Erickson, Staff at Dadant, Bee Culture Magizine,
Raymond Cooper, Myron Kroph, Erik Osterlund, Hans-Otto
Johnsen  and others involved I may have missed.

Best Wishes,
Joe






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