In a message dated 16/03/2009 14:39:45 GMT Standard Time,  
[log in to unmask] writes:

Since  each strain of bee has a normal range of cell size and foundation, by 
its  very nature, forces bees to build cells of one specific size, it could 
be  quite suitable for one strain and not another.



Over the last year or two I have been reducing my use of foundation,  
instead, allowing the bees to decide for themselves what size of cell they want  and 
where they want it.  Numbers are too few and the process as yet to  short to 
produce more than anecdote and observation at this stage. Last year I  measured 
the cell sizes in my TBH in 3 places on each side of each comb (top  right, 
centre, bottom left) and the numbers ranged from 4.9 to 5.4mm with the  most 
common figure being 5.2.
 
Last year in a new apiary I had one colony on foundation based combs and  two 
on comb of their own design.  I noticed (and also elsewhere where a  colony 
was on natural comb) that the bees were not of uniform size, whereas the  bees 
bred on foundation based comb appeared to be uniform.  It's not  quantifiable 
but I felt the colonies with a range of bee-sizes seemed to be  'doing better' 
than the uniform ones. Certainly they produced more honey, not a  great deal 
in a poor year but enough to pay the rent.
 
Chris

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