Sender: |
|
Subject: |
|
From: |
|
Date: |
Thu, 18 Nov 1999 14:54:08 -0500 |
Content-Type: |
text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" |
MIME-Version: |
1.0 |
Reply-To: |
|
Parts/Attachments: |
|
|
> Despite many claims over the years, I wonder if anyone has ever
>produced a better bee.
I am not sure if "produced" is the right word but the selection of good
stock by queen breeders has been a big help. There is no doubt that without
them the smaller bee keepers would have lost out completely with the
tracheal mite.
Without speaking to the hybrids, the selection of T-mite resistant bees was
a invaluable service for little guys like me. The other traits are of course
nice: gentile, good producers, winter well. I keep mainly Italians now, but
these are not the same quality I had 15 years ago, they are better. I would
guess the keepers of other strains would find the same results.
My experience is offset by the new problems but the bees are better.
|
|
|