>   Reply:
>   Who would want to do splits from the weaker
>side carried over that cannot feed selves? and then do
>honey production how----------by taking the honey and
>feeding back sugar? This is not honey production IMPOV with
>good strong stock.

Dee, I think you don't listen, and you think only your management plan is 
workable and correct. Did I say I take all the honey, and feed back sugar? 
No! In fact, I said just the opposite.

Most of my colonies make 100 - 200 lbs of honey...all in a short honey 
producing season of 2 1/2 months They don't have to be fed any amount of 
sugar...either in the spring, or the fall. They don't have Chalkbrood, Sac 
Brood, Dysentery, or any other bee diseases. The queens are very prolific 
and long lived. They maintain large, unlimited broodnests...see, others run 
unlimited broodnests, too...so critical for our short northern bee season.

Those that don't perform as I want, get culled.

Now, doesn't this sound a bit like what you are saying? I would say so, 
with one exception. I don't let my weak, unproductive colonies..."go", as 
you would say. Instead, I use the bees and brood to make my splits...giving 
each a new queen raised from my best stock. Also, another difference...

I no longer make my splits in the spring, as is traditional among 
beekeepers. Instead, I make my splits in mid to late summer. These splits 
are over wintered as 4 frame nucs.

This plan allows me to manage my good colonies for honey alone, rather than 
for bees and honey. See, we have a very short season. If I split my strong 
colonies in the spring, it takes until the end of June for them to get 
built up for later flows. This pretty well eliminate the honey crop from 
Honeysuckle, Berries, Locust, and early Clovers.

Another reason for making splits later in the summer...nucs winter better 
than full sized production colonies with Dysentery, Tracheal or Varroa. 
Those production colonies that can't make the winter are replaced or 
re-queened with an over wintered nuc.

So, a question for you. Do you see the similarities in our management 
plans? Can you understand what I am doing here in Vermont...6" of snow last 
night. I approach things a bit differently, but only because I have to. We 
have a short season here in the north. The bees have about two chances to 
make it. I believe my management plan increases their success...certainly 
increases mine. Read and understand what I have written here. If I sound a 
bit annoyed, believe it. I am. I get tired of you and your disciples 
blasting everyone who doesn't follow your path. You all know nothing of 
beekeeping in the Champlain Valley of northern New York and Vermont. You 
should have more of an open mind about other beekeeping plans, and not 
think yours is the only way. Contrary to what you say...this IS honey 
production with good strong stock in the northern Champlain Valley along 
the northern US border...IMPOV.
Mike 


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