> As you can see there are almost as many opinions on this subject
> as there are on whose queens are best.  Years ago a beekeeper
> told me to use 1 to 1 by volume in spring and summer. The bees
> will reduce it to what they need it to be and the moisture helps
> to cool the hive.  For fall and winter he advised to put the
> sugar in a bucket and add just enough water to completely devolve
> the sugar.  Worked  for me for years.  No matter how you mix it
> the bees will expend some energy to adjust the moisture level to
> their needs.
 
If your Web browser is Java-enabled, there are some interesting
calculations related to syrup mixing and use at:
http://www.beekeeping.co.nz/convert.htm#sugarmix1
 
  (\      Nick Wallingford
 {|||8-   [log in to unmask]
  (/      NZ Beekeeping http:www.beekeeping.co.nz