I don't believe that the most important thing about a queen, is the way she is raised. I have proof here at Hybri-Bees that Genetics plays an important role. Having said that I will elaborate on the discussion at hand. I do belive that the way a queen is raised contributes to what she is able to do for the following reasons: Basic animal and insect Breeding is as follows Genenotype and the enviroment in which the individule is raised, is equal to the individule. Or to make it simple Genotype + Enviroment = the Individual. Having stated this know biology fact, it is clear that you can not have a really good queen without both. The fact of the mater is that with bees you have castes of females. The problem this makes for evaluation of the bees is the enviroment the indvidule is raised in determines its caste. So long as the enviroment the queen is raised in enables her to develop to 100% of the queen caste, then what the she becomes after that is due to her Genotype. The way a queen is raised has a lot to due with what she is in relation to the queen caste. It influences things such as the number of ovaries, morphology and if she is a true queen or an intercaste. The study of these factors is very well described in a book the name of which is QUEEN REARING Biological Basis and Technical Instruction. the book was Edited by Dr. F. Ruttner Printed in 1983. This book I belive will clear up many of the questions that you have and will also provide answers to questions already asked in regards to the rearing of queens. It also reveals strong support for the work done by Farrar. However If you read all of Dr. Ruttners books you will also see that he belives in genotype as well. The book Breeding Techniques and Selection for Breeding of the Honeybee written by Dr. Ruttner and published by the BIBBA in 1988 proves this and will also confirm that you need both to have a great queen. One other note the work in question was in fact done by Farrar. The other important place to look for this information is within the USDA. They have most of the obscure information that has been published in tech. bulletins around. A real good source for this information is WIC-WAS Press If I can be of any help with this issue please feel free to e-Mail direct. I am all to glad to help. It is refreshing to see that there are people that are concerned about their queens. Dean M. Breaux Executive Vice President Hybri-Bees Breeding Better Bees