----- Original Message ----- From: "Juanse Barros" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Saturday, September 05, 2009 4:02 AM Subject: Re: [BEE-L] How to approach a Masal selection? Thus, I think we need a better description before we understand what you see. More than yards, imagine site conditions. site One: Mountain : Valdivian Temperate Rain Forest. site Two: Valley, Gorbea area inside blueberry field (highbush). site Three: Valley, Vilcun are inside blueberry field (highbush) cooler than Gorbea site One site Two site Three n= 464 n= 1579 n= Distribution rames with bees % of total % of total % of total 0 (winter dead) 1.5% 0.8% 1 1.3% 2.2% 2 3.9% 5.6% 3 5.8% 9.4% 4 10.8% 9.3% 5 22.4% 25.6% 6 21.3% 20.3% 7 20.3% 17.7% 8 9.1% 8.2% 9 1.9% 0.4% 10 1.1% 0.1% >10 (ie with super) 0.9% 0.3% Average 5.64 5.27 st. desv. 2.04 ¿<2 > > I think I should discard those colonies that are 1 standard distribution >> down the average. But ... >> > > From this, I assume that you are thinking to cull on just this one > criterion. To me that is surprising, since size is only one selection > criterion, and not necessarily a meaningful one -- unless it is linked to > other characteristics you seek. > > My understanding is that you are approaching your spring season and that > these are overwintered bees. Unless your major goal is splitting, and I > think if you have a surplus of bees, it is not, then large populations at > this date could actually indicate undesirable properties by many > standards. > You may wish to keep the medium ones -- or conceivably even the small ones > -- depending on their condition otherwise, the timing of your season and > other factors like winter feed consumption. > > Personally, I would not use this one characteristic as a selector. I > would > look for clean bottom boards (no chalk), disease history, and other > indicators of health, manageability and productivity. > > Moreover, I would have marked the best performers in each yard for the > previous season and consider keeping them regardless of size if they were > disease-free and not vicious. > > *********************************************** > The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list > management software. For more information, go to: > http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html > -- Juanse Barros J. APIZUR S.A. Carrera 695 Gorbea - CHILE +56-45-271693 08-3613310 http://apiaraucania.blogspot.com/ [log in to unmask] *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html *********************************************** The BEE-L mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html