In a message dated 02/10/02 05:03:17 GMT Daylight Time, Bill Truesdell writes:

<< My observations. SBB .............
  In colder climates, they will reduce honey production
 (my observation).  >>

Of my 4 outstanding hives for honey production this year 2 were on SBB open
to the ground and 2 were on solid floors.  I also have a greater number of
'also rans' on a mixture of floors. So my observation is that it doesn't make
much difference. I suppose it depends what you mean by colder climates.  In
the southern UK our climate is temperate with an annual rainfall of about
40".  I gather that most of North America alternates between scorching and
freezing.

Chris