>
> >I prefer them to live on their own honey, not syrup.


In areas in which the bees have put on a high-quality honey late in the
season, this is perhaps a good idea.
However, in some regions, the late honey (such as from canola or ivy) may
crystallize and dehydrate to the extent that the wintering bees are unable
to use it.
In other areas (such as mine), the bees put on honeydew which is high in
undigestible sugars (and perhaps other natural chemicals) that cause
dysentery and poor wintering.
In such areas, bees winter better when allowed to store some sugar syrup.

-- 
Randy Oliver
Grass Valley, CA
www.ScientificBeekeeping.com

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