>Remember all beekeeping is local. This works well for me in a short 
>intense season, not nessesarily in a longer season.


I have to agree with P-O. I manage my bees the same way, with similar 
results. I'm on lat 45 N. I don't make splits in the spring, either. 
I find that selecting breeders who have never shown the inclination 
to swarm, timely reversing on the Dandelion flow, and adequate 
supering, takes care of most swarming.
Mike

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