Hello Jim, Sue & All,

I guess I will add feedback for Sue as she took the time to reply through
Jim to the list.

What I am about to say is only my opinion which will know doubt be different
than many on the list.

Cluster size can be too small if one lives in areas of cold winter.

That said it is always amazing to watch a small size cluster expand into a
boiling over colony. One of the wonders of beekeeping.  However if the
reaching of peak size is after the main honey flow is over and your business
is honey production then a problem exists.

Many factors can cause cluster size to be small besides the bee strain. I do
not see the small NWC clusters described by many on the list in my NWC. I
suppose I might if I did not start preparring for this years honey
production at the end of last years production.

Many times the general statements said on BEE-L are simply too general and
all beekeeping is local.

In my area I want to see bees covering at least five frames the first
inspection in spring in my NWC. When I see a softball size cluster I figure
I failed in preperation last fall or a problem exists in the colony *or* for
some reason the queen simply did not raise the proper amount of young last
fall to winter the way I like. I usually mark the hive for further queen
evaluation if all other hives in the yard did as expected.

I expect my Italians to cover around seven to nine frames at first serious
inspection. I have got Russians and NWC which winter similar to the Italians
when fall preperation is similar but normally they winter in smaller
clusters.

If proper fall preperation was done correctly all colonies should emerge
from winter in the north in similar condition as most old bees should be
gone by the late February inspection in Missouri and *only the bees raised
last fall by the queen for the sole purpose of wintering should be left.*

Suicide bees are common in spring and all through winter. An indepth
converstation on suicide bees took place last winter between myself and one
of the largest beekeepers in the world.

 Do older bees fly out too far in late fall knowing they will not have
enough reserve honey to make the return flight on purpose?

 Do old bees simply fly out the first semi warm day to freeze in the snow to
conserve honey stores for the young bees in the colony?

We think they do and is simply natures way of helping the colony to conserve
stores & survive. What do others think?

Sincerely,
Bob Harrison

Ps. Marla Spivak's hygienic queens offspring fly at least an hour before all
other bees I have used in the U.S.. A fact noted by myself and owners of
orchards we have done pollination for. I can not help think Marla has
selected for the trait. I find the early flying a plus for beekeepers doing
pollination. Perhaps the NWC could be selected for early flying.

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