I would not be too hard on the amateur researcher. Research many times is initiated by experienced folks that are excellent observers that see something different and try to find out what is going on. Many times these preliminary observations lead to a more formal replicated experiment. I might add that I believe a paired experiment with 20 hives is not just a whim and should be considered as a serious effort and might be worth a serious consideration. It is a shame that several beekeepers with similar interests could not get a properly designed replicated experiment designed and executed in different locations A multiple location experiment is a very strong trial. We cannot hope to rely on our bee researchers to do everything for us. I believe we can use trials in a wider location to help strengthen our local knowledge and add to the wider knowledge base. Dan Veilleux Boone area In the Mountains of NC -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and other info ---