On Fri, 13 Jan 2006 09:12:12 -0500, Bill Truesdell <bhfarms@SUSCOM-
MAINE.NET> wrote:

>There are a lot of strawmen being erected in this discussion. I have
>seen very few "irresponsible" beekeepers in my time as a beekeeper. I
>have met some who were well meaning but ignorant. 

I guess this all depends on what we define as irresponsible.  Where I'm at 
in North Carolina there's a bee supply place bringing in queens and 
packages from Florida this year.  That will put hundreds of Florida bred 
queens in the county.  I consider that irresponsible.  One of the more 
informed beekeepers in our county club swears by the Texas queens he's been 
purchasing.  He says they're a little hot, but manageable, and he thinks 
they're vigorous.  He plans to buy more this year.  I consider that 
irresponsible.  We have beekeepers nearby taking hives out to almonds (and 
back).  I find that borderline irresponsible.  I bet there are close to a 
hundred beekeepers in the county that have never caught on to the concept 
that frames of brood are removeable, which means they've never inspected 
for foulbrood, for instance.  I'm inclined to say that's irresponsible.  I 
know of a few beekeepers that feed out in the open when other nearby 
beekeepers still have honey supers on their hives.  I consider that very 
irresponsible.  I haven't even touched on the huge subject illegal 
chemicals and legal chemical misuse.  I think it's anything but a strawman 
to suggest that there are enough irresponsible beekeepers out there 
to "leaven the whole lump."  I can imagine that things might be somewhat 
better in Maine, but can you really talk of a strawman?

Eric

-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l for rules, FAQ and  other info ---