Frank:
Regarding cross-breeding [“interracial marriage”], the eminent monk has
the following to add to Carnies:
I [Brother Adam] must mention one point here: where there is a question of
a general 'utility' cross with this race of bees, Carniolan drones should
be used in every case. A reciprocal cross - Carniolan queens mated with
drones of other races - produces very often a bad tempered bee and at the
same time a first-cross of little or no economic value. Heterosis
intensifies the hereditary swarming tendency to an even greater degree
than is normally the case. The result is that such a first-cross expends
all its strength in its craze for swarming. Yet in the next and
subsequent generations there is a marked decline in the swarming tendency,
which allows for the full development of those characteristics which have
a direct bearing on honey production, while at the same time there is a
greater fecundity, often to a far higher degree than is apparent in the
original parent stock.”
See for yourself [copy and paste]:
http://www.fundp.ac.be/~jvandyck/homage/books/FrAdam/breeding/partIII85en.h
tml#p10
Yoon
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::