> From: Robert Brenchley <[log in to unmask]>

> But as I said  in an earlier 
> post, I can normally handle them without worrying about  stings. When I find 
> Italian hybrids over here

Hello Robert,

Thought we would hear from you..:-)
I hope you don't refer to Buckfast as "Italian hybrids", as that would 
really prove my point of limited knowledge among some UK beeks of what 
Buckfast is. I get a bit frustrated with this kind of statements.

And yes, I have had a.m.m. myself. Also Ligustica, Carnica and every 
mix between them in my commercial operation. To me, Buckfast is the 
best from different races mixed together in a bee that gives me the 
best possibility to make a living from them. And no, mixes between 
races don't produce hot bees if both lines are gentle to start with. 
Believe me, I have done it.

Buckfast is here among most considered the gentlest of all races...and 
the race that best can handle mixing with other races without getting 
hot.

We had a US friend visiting in August when we were taking last honey 
off and preparing for winter. He had one of those cameras that can 
record video, and I have uploaded some clips to Youtube that you can 
watch yourself and see how we work our bees. We rarely use veils, 
sometimes on a rainy day if we have to dig into the brood nest.

Looking for a queen to change:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1CkEL1Cork

Feeders on:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3Bx-fn4Xxs

When it comes to gentleness my criteria is bees that never fly up in 
your face. A sting on the hand if you move too fast is tolerated.
This is Buckfast bees, not any mongrel you might have experienced in 
the UK....:-)

-- 
Regards

P-O Gustafsson, Sweden
http://beeman.se

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