Randy,
I can second that motion about the SMR's
I have noticed on a few occasions where that 2nd or 3rd generation SMR is a 
like a volcanic eruption..and this coming from an almost miserably weak 
mother!
My "feeling " was that the SMR behaves like a purebred(maybe inbred) line 
and that it would take a sort of hybridization/cross to unlock its 
potential. Brother Adams cites many examples of that sort of behavior.
If you can find  and verify that "magic cross" which causes that F2-F3 
generation to perform powerfully- and create a new line from that, you would 
be doing all a service.
Keep up the good work! And if you find the right cross tell me and I'd like 
to buy a few.
One other point-my SMR's(now called VSH) that showed this most desirable 
behavior were near Buckfast and Russian hives.
John Horton
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Randy Oliver" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 12:30 PM
Subject: [BEE-L] SMR


Rand y Oliver wrote:

> I've tried all kinds of SMR crosses, and most have been miserable 
> bees--weak
> and hard to keep alive.  The problem apparently is finding the right 
> cross.
> Last year I had Glenn Apiaries make me a Minnesota Hygienic x SMR cross.
> This was a magical combination!!!! (This individual queen, anyway--don't
> know if it can be replicated).

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