Summer heat has set in early here in South Carolina. It's been in the mid
and upper 90's now for two weeks (99 yesterday!).  Needless to say, we work
with soaking wet clothes, and are fighting heat exhaustion. One day last week,
I had chills and got sick. Now I am carrying pedialight for electolytes. It
does seem to help.
 
   Maybe it's not just me needing minerals. I've seen a new phenomenon that
I've never observed -- bees landing on my arms and drinking sweat!
 
   I would assume that bees will naturally get all the salts and minerals they
need in their normal food supply. Perhaps the extreme heat makes an exception?
 
   Or are the organic folks right when they say our soils and plants are
becoming depleted and deficient of minerals?
 
    Has anyone ever studied the mineral requirements of the bees. I recall
years ago, an old time beekeeper who somehow fed cattle minerals to his bees.
At the time, I thought it was an odd idea without any support. But perhaps
some supplemental minerals would be a smart idea?
 
 
[log in to unmask]     Dave Green  Hemingway, SC  USA
The Pollination Scene:  http://users.aol.com/pollinator/polpage1.html
 
Jan's Sweetness and Light Shop    (Varietal Honeys and Beeswax Candles)
http://users.aol.com/SweetnessL/sweetlit.htm