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> From: Garth <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: One box or two
> Date: Thursday, May 29, 1997 4:27 AM
>
> Hi all
>
> On the topic of the one box or two issue:
>
> I have read that the cell sizes for european bees varies greatly,
> hence the number of cells per brood box will vary greatly. The
> smaller the cells the faster the brood hatches as well.
>
> I sort of remember the range being from about 540 cells per dm3 to
> 1220 cells per dm3. The 1220 figure is for african bees.
>
> For those trying to combat varoa maybe the african foundation would
> help, as faster generation time, less time as brood etc.
>
> I have a hive that is one brood box with ten frames of brood,
> eight of which are sealed the other are all in the larval stage, but
> quite far along. This wwould lead me to think that the bees must have
> allowed their queen to lay a hell of a lot of eggs a day as I am
> using 1220 foundation for that hive. One ould think if the queen
> could lay that many eggs, another brood box would help. The problem
> is that then I would probably have my most vicious hive with a
> population of 150 000+ bees and every time I opened it it would
> facilitate a minor haulocaust. Is there anyy body out there who has
> ever kept a double hive bodyy african bee hive?
>
> Keep well
>
> Garth
>
> ---
> Garth Cambray       "Opinions expressed in this post may be those
> 15 Park Road         of Pritz, my cat, who knows a lot about
> Grahamstown          catfood."
> 6140                       *[log in to unmask]*
> South Africa               Phone 27-0461-311663
>
> In general, generalisations are bad.
> But don't worry BEEEEEE happy
 
Here in Tennessee USA,  we have a very short season.  Only may and June
unless Sourwood makes and it only takes one good thunderstorm to end that.
I try to have my hives densely populated with one brood chamber and as much
drawn comb as I have.  With the very short season, the extra brood is not
going to help very much and I would rather they were making honey instead
of brood  At the end of the season,  I give them an empty super or another
brood chamber for them to put their winter stores in.  I usually feed heavy
in late July and August and treat for mites.  Once they fill the extra
space with syrup,  they have slowed brood rearing so that they can maintain
the stores level.
 
Frank & Phronsie Humphrey
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