> We used the best 12 of that select group based on temper and other > factors as queen mothers for grafting and the hives all provided drones. > After 10 years of doing the same, I have also found it to be a better method. During this time I have compared my bees with others bred through insemination and isolated mating stations. The bees selected from a larger group based mainly on honey production has outperformed any other queens I have tested. One reason for this might be that you select bees that are best suited for your local conditions and your way to work them. I started with mixing ligustica, buckfast, carnica and a bit of the old black.... -- P-O 59°39.792'N 17°32.825'O *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html Guidelines for posting to BEE-L can be found at: http://honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/guidelines.htm