At 09:49 AM 7/18/2001 -0600, Matthew Westall wrote:

>As you progress to a 'beekeeper' over a 'beehaver' your primary goal
>will
>be to 'encourage' bees to do what you want rather what bees do naturally
>(i.e.
>to give YOU honey over what bees store for themselves, and many things
>along the way).
>
>

This is a matter of opinion and is not the goal of all beekeepers, nor
should it be. As far as possible I prefer to work with the bees rather than
against them. Beekeeping can be an amazing window into the Universe and if
all one wanted was to get honey then I would be inclined to call you a
'honey producer' and not a 'beekeeper'. I would encourage new beekeepers to
enter the craft with at least the notion that there are no absolutes in how
one should keep and perceive bees.

Stephen Augustine
Bees By The Bay