I am very curious, if anyone talks with Kirk, I wonder where during the season he places the blame for the ‘root cause‘.  These days, I see many beekeepers placing the blame for winter kill with symptoms as described in Kirks bees (small clusters, less brood, less stores in October) to the ‘here and now’,  or ‘more recent times’, fall flow, fall pollen, fall buildup etc.

But, if you look back in history, I have noticed that many articles from bee periodicals and newspapers quote the leading experts of the time, who tend to attribute symptoms similar to that described in Kirks bees (small clusters, less brood, less stores in October) to a defect of early pollen and forage, which these experts from the past believed the nutritional early sources as being essential for a successful season, as well as a successful wintering.  From my experience, a nutritional deficit occurring from the maple bloom till about June 20, can have a devastating effect on colony growth and performance lasting throughout the season. 

Best Wishes
Joe
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/HistoricalHoneybeeArticles/ 


      

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