Lloyd said:

> I think the best distinctions should be a combination of
> number of hives and economic return.

Naw, it's all about attitude:

Hobbyists make or loose a little money, but don't keep books.

Sideliners know how much they make/loose, but don't care.

Commercial beekeepers make/loose the largest amount of money, and
blame any losses on imports.  (In the USA, they blame both the imports
and the National Honey Board.)  Such anger causes many of them to break
out in hives, which explains the larger number of hives in a commercial operation.

        jim