Hello All

The ability of this list to transfer information from one beekeeper to
others is just unlimited.

Recently I was asked privately by a list member if I was in a position to
say how any given weight of syrup fed to the bees translated into actual
weight of stores in the hive. I was unable to do so. So I put the question
to the list. Then Allen Dick weighed in with a very well thought out
dissertation on the subject of how the bees convert syrup given into actual
stores in the hive, and pointed out the many variables involved in what
would appear at first sight to be a relatively simple activity.

Next Chris Slade came in with a chilling question - how do you know that the
stores you are giving the bees end up with the bees and not with your customers?

I replied to Chris that I will ensure that there are no supers on the hive
when I am feeding the bees etc etc.

And then Chris came back with a stunningly simple means of determinng if the
syrup given was going to the customers rather than to the bees as follows:

>As an experiment in one hive try dying the syrup green or blue with food dye.
> Then you will see how much gets transferred to next year's "honey" crop.

A brilliant exchange of information!

Thank you

Sincerely

Tom Barrett
49 South Park, Foxrock
Dublin 18
Ireland
Tel + 353 1 289 5269
Fax + 353 1 289 9940