I have to agree with Lloyd. IMHO, this year on six new hives it took two feedings of a gallon each to draw out a deep body. This occurred in the last two and a half weeks, where the weather was pretty much optimal. Last year, roughly the same feed ratio, but much longer, as the weather was cold and rainy. A local beekeeper told me "they would not touch the syrup if nectar is available." I have found this to be false. It only took them five days to down the gallon, and finish the body. I put the first supers on them yesterday. Which brings me to: 1. How a person starting out gets drawn comb. 2. Do you feed a hive to the specific end of producing drawn comb, forgoing honey production? 3. Or do you super with deeps, and use the subsequent extracted frame for starting hives the following year? BTW Lloyd, I am setting up a few frames of your rounds. The romance seemed to go out of the traditional sections with the apparent reality of the labour required [for them vs. RR] given the time crunch associated with the season. Thanks...JK Jonathan B. Kriebel Das Sauen Õhr Farm 3229 Zepp Rd. Green Lane, PA 18054-2357 Telephone: (610) 864-8581 Facsimile: (215) 234-8573 [log in to unmask] :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: -- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and other info --- ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::