Thus, I think we need a better description before we understand what you
see.

More than yards, imagine site conditions.

site One: Mountain : Valdivian Temperate Rain Forest.
site Two: Valley, Gorbea area inside blueberry field (highbush).
site Three: Valley, Vilcun are inside blueberry field (highbush) cooler than
Gorbea

                                 site One         site Two
site Three
                                   n= 464           n=
1579                      n=
Distribution
rames with bees   % of total            % of total                 % of
total
0 (winter dead)           1.5%                 0.8%
1                               1.3%              2.2%
2                               3.9%              5.6%
3                               5.8%              9.4%
4                               10.8%            9.3%
5                               22.4%          25.6%
6                               21.3%          20.3%
7                               20.3%          17.7%
8                                9.1%            8.2%
9                                1.9%              0.4%
10                              1.1%              0.1%
>10 (ie with super)          0.9%          0.3%
Average                    5.64                5.27
st. desv.                   2.04                ¿<2



>
>  I think I should discard those colonies that are 1 standard distribution
>> down the average. But ...
>>
>
> From this, I assume that you are thinking to cull on just this one
> criterion.  To me that is surprising, since size is only one selection
> criterion, and not necessarily a meaningful one -- unless it is linked to
> other characteristics you seek.
>
> My understanding is that you are approaching your spring season and that
> these are overwintered bees.  Unless your major goal is splitting, and I
> think if you have a surplus of bees, it is not, then large populations at
> this date could actually indicate undesirable properties by many standards.
> You may wish to keep the medium ones -- or conceivably even the small ones
> -- depending on their condition otherwise, the timing of your season and
> other factors like winter feed consumption.
>
> Personally, I would not use this one characteristic as a selector.  I would
> look for clean bottom boards (no chalk), disease history, and other
> indicators of health, manageability and productivity.
>
> Moreover, I would have marked the best performers in each yard for the
> previous season and consider keeping them regardless of size if they were
> disease-free and not vicious.
>
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-- 
Juanse Barros J.
APIZUR S.A.
Carrera 695
Gorbea - CHILE
+56-45-271693
08-3613310
http://apiaraucania.blogspot.com/
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