> how can a non- commercial beekeeper such as you or I make assessments as to what is best for them?  They'll decide.

I did not make this assessment, they did.
History shows that for decades, commercial 
beekeepers chose to use the bee <<commonly refereed 
to as the Italian bee>>,  and were very successful
at it.  So what was good then should be good today,
that is, IF sufficient resistance can be attained in the 
bee 'commonly referred to as the Italian bee'.

>My friend Tom Glenn assures me that the VSH strain is the best bet at present, although I am also impressed by Weaver stock. Neither of these is referred to by such outmoded terms as Italian is at present.  

Someone needs to tell Glenn that the term Italian should not be used.
http://www.glenn-apiaries.com/hygienic_italian_breeder_queens.html

I would also propose that the term Russian bee is outmoded also. ;)

Best Wishes,
Joe Waggle

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