Gentlepeople:
 
     This is the first year I have had a crop to speak of and I am
     wondering about the ripening of honey.  I know that honey is
     "ripe" when it is capped, but what if it is not capped.  Is it
     no good?  What is the impact of harvesting honey that may not
     be totally ripe?   Will it ferment?  Will it harm those people
     I sell it to?  How should I deal with unripe honey?
 
     This is an issue now because I am pulling honey supers now
     (8/8/96) in order to begin treatment for varroa and not all of
     the frames are totally capped over.  Is this something I should
     worry about?
 
     Mark Egloff
     Dayton, OHIO  USA.