Dear Bee-Ler's in the UK,

I sent this to the list a while back.  I was mostly
interested in the uses and amounts of oil produced by the
rape seed and any other info on the oil.  I did not get any
responses so I am trying again.  You can email me
personally.

Thanks,

Bill B

Subject: Rape (canola)


>Dear beekeepers in UK,
>
>Just returned to the US from a lovely trip to the UK.
>
>I was amazed at the amount of rape (canola) that I saw.  I
>looked at the fields when I had the chance, but did not see
>any bees.  Most that I saw was passed peak bloom.  The only
>bees that  I saw were in the Kensington Garden in London.
>
>I wish that I had paid more attention to the past posts
that
>were on the list some time back about the rape.  Last time
I
>was in the UK, about three years ago, I did see the bees
>working the fields of rape.
>
>It is my understanding that the government subsidizes the
>growing of the rape.  Why?  I saw no corn or soy beans.
Why
>is there so much rape?  Is it mainly used as fodder for
cows
>and sheep?  Is there a lot of oil made from the seed for
>frying oil and margarine?  Is it just the area I was in
that
>grows so much rape?  (countryside of London and the
>Salisbury Plain)
>
>How about the honey?  Do you get a good crop?  Colour?
>(color).  Any specifics?
>
>Rape sure does make beautiful fields of yellow.
>
>William A. Bartlett
>19124 Lake Drive
>Leonardtown, Maryland 20650
>[log in to unmask]
>38.25 N, 76.60 W
>