> I just got a call from Theo Fredericks.  Theo keeps bees on Vancouver
> Island, but worked as a boy in an all-skep operation in Germany and
> maintains his contacts there.

Allen, I'd like to be sure that I understand the situation there.  Are these
bees that have *always* been on natural comb, or are they bees that might
have been on foundation many years ago?

> Also, as a follow-up on Joe and Oene's 4.9 experiment, Joe now reports
that
> the bees have made a mess of the 4.9 foundation and, although they built
> some 4.9 cells, they then proceeded to build 'normal' sized cells on the
> rest of it.  I hope to have some pictures soon.

As I understand it, this is what the 4.9ers would predict.  I believe the
theory to be that the bees want to build cells of the same size that they
hatched from, but will build somewhat smaller if given smaller foundation.
I believe that downsizing the 4.9 involves several intermediate sizes.

(Have I got that right?)

Frank.
-----
The very act of seeking sets something in motion to meet us;
something in the universe, or in the unconscious responds as if
to an invitation.  - Jean Shinoda Bolen

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