Here in New Zealand I keep one hive in suburban Christchurch and
eight on a rural research station 15 km away.  The suburban hive
produces at least double and sometimes three times the surplus of
each of the rural hives, and no rural hive has ever outperformed the
suburban hive.
The diversity of floral resource in suburbia is obviously far greater
than around the research station.  My one home hive never has to be
fed, as whenever the weather is suitable for flight the bees appear
to find some productive flowers somewhere, whereas the rural hives
have to be watched carefully through late winter/early spring, even
if they start the winter with a full super of honey above two brood
boxes.
Interesting that cities world-wide generally seem to be better for
bees than agricultural land.
 
Barry J. Donovan
Canterbury Agriculture and Science Centre
Lincoln.
Private Bag 4704
Christchurch
New Zealand.
Ph. 64 3 325 6400.  Fax 64 3 325 2074.
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