> I think small cell beekeeping works so well because the cell size is a
> better approximation to the cell size in the core area of the
> broodnest.
>
> This is  the area the bees cluster on during the winter and where the
> first and last brood of the season are raised. I also think the downside
> associated with getting small cell foundation drawn out are caused by
> the very poor aproximation it provides for the rest of a natural
> broodnest with its larger sized cells.
<snip>
> But if bees naturally construct cells within the small cell size
> range, then much of the field management associated with small cell
> beekeeping which negates the effect of enlarged bees is not necessary.

What puzzles me is that the above seems -- unless I misunderstand -- to
suggest that a natural broodnest does pretty much what the small cell is
claimed to do, regardless of the bees chosen.

If this is so, then why the disppearance of feral colonies everywhere?

allen
A Beekeeper's Diary: http://www.honeybeeworld.com/diary/

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