<<When this method was first
explained to me the bees had to be starved and when I asked how you knew
they were starving the answer was when they are seen to be dying.  Perhaps
three days would be sufficient - I am not sure.>>

Hello Harry, and gang,

I do not think that anyone knows for sure. That is an educated guess for me.
If I do get to try this technique I will keep records and try to learn
from what happens.

My philosophy is to over winter nothing but robust colonies. Should hives
show themselves to be anything less than robust in August,
I combine them with other strong colonies.
This gives the combined hives time to gather copious amounts
of golden rod and aster nectar.

I am a student of the Richard Taylor Principle. "Strong colonies in the Fall
make strong colonies in the Spring." I realize that there is no guarantee
in agriculture, but we can hedge our bets by stacking the odds in our favor.
I distribute the assets of the weaker ones to the stronger ones,
be that bees, capped honey, or pollen.

So doing helps the bees to handle AFB on their own.





Ernie Gregoire   "Beekeeper," def.= partially brave,
                                    partially excentric

Grist Mill Apiary

Canaan, NH. USA


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10/26/99 08:38:48