In a previous Bee-L posting Richard Glassford II had asked about different
strains of bees.
 
I'm a first year beekeeper here in the Allegheny mountains (I know they
look just like hills to you folks out there <g>) and I started with two
nucs with Carniolan queens.  One colony did indeed swarm in the first week
of June, but I was able to hive it and now have two shallows on the swarm,
three on the original colony, and five on the unswarmed colony.  They're
very gentle, I visit them everyday and they've been very easy to work.  
With the abnormally cold nights we've been getting I'm glad I had
Carniolans instead of the Italians, but I've got them on slatted racks
anyway (you may have guessed I tend to pamper them <g>.)
 
You're best advice will probably come from the new friends you'll make in 
your local bee association who will know which strains are best for your
specific geographic/climatic area.  I give you great joy, and welcome to
the hobby.
 
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*               I believe that the phenomena of nature         *
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* Rory Stenerson                                      _        *
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