Actually, I totally disagree. Science advances by virtue of the inability of some to accept what is laid down as being necessarily true. The scientists of each generation make their names by successfully disputing the science of the previous generation. So I'll offer a modfied version; science is not to be disputed without good reason. I think the point that someone made to the effect that the artificial feeding of ash-free syrup enables bees to survive in marginal environments where they might not otherwise do so is a good one. The corollary of that is that it will enable a strain to survive where it would not otherwise do so, but another strain will. This is why I don't normally feed; I want to maintain selection pressure to eliminate ill-adapted colonies as far as I can; I've experienced them, and I don't want to do so again! Regards, Robert Brenchley :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::