If you have three beekeepers in the same room, you will get at least
three different opinions on most subjects.  Sugar syrup is one of those
subjects.  I continue to use what has worked for me.  2/1 in the fall
when I want the bees to store it like honey.  1/2 - that's pretty thin -
in the spring when I want them to think it came from flowers... and
therefore the queen goes into high gear with her egg laying.
 
Here in Illinois, it seems that the honey flow comes very suddenly and
those springs I have not feed I found the colonies were not as strong as
I would wish when there was a lot of honey to be made.
 
Larry Krengel
Marengo, IL
Home of C. C. Miller
        and host area for the Midwest Beekeeping Symposium.