Here in New Zealand I keep one hive in suburban Christchurch and eight on a rural research station 15 km away. The suburban hive produces at least double and sometimes three times the surplus of each of the rural hives, and no rural hive has ever outperformed the suburban hive. The diversity of floral resource in suburbia is obviously far greater than around the research station. My one home hive never has to be fed, as whenever the weather is suitable for flight the bees appear to find some productive flowers somewhere, whereas the rural hives have to be watched carefully through late winter/early spring, even if they start the winter with a full super of honey above two brood boxes. Interesting that cities world-wide generally seem to be better for bees than agricultural land. Barry J. Donovan Canterbury Agriculture and Science Centre Lincoln. Private Bag 4704 Christchurch New Zealand. Ph. 64 3 325 6400. Fax 64 3 325 2074. [log in to unmask]