> ...I find it hard to believe that you feel that management of
> Russians is the same as that of Italians.  Even the Russian breeders
> that I've spoken with agree that one must manage them differently.

Language can be ambiguous. I suspect that what was meant is that the
principles are the same.  What is different is the timing, the
interpretation of some signals from the bees, like cell building, and
the appropriate amount of space at any given time.

I don't think that anyone who manages bees by observation and response
will find them difficult, but those who manage by the calendar or
arbitrary rules will find them impossible.  I suspect that is one reason
they have not caught on better.

The transition can be difficult.  Commercial beekeeping tends to be done
by formula and having two strains with vastly differing characteristics,
especially with semi-skilled labour,  is almost impossible.

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