Letters to the Editor - September 2010

Full Version

Randy Oliver, Yes!

    I am a regular reader of the American Bee Journal, and I want you to know that my favorite feature is the monthly article by Randy Oliver. I find other articles enjoyable as well, but if his was the only one I read in the entire magazine, I would subscribe to the journal for that one article alone.

Since I notice he is not listed as a “Column” or a “Department,” I gather he simply sends in monthly articles and you publish them. I hope you will continue to do this, since it gives me a layman’s scientific understanding of bees and beekeeping. He educates me, and shows by his bibliography that there is a large amount of serious research in the world of apiculture. Everything else in your journal is simply frosting on the cake!
Keep up the good work!

Jeanne Hansen
Madison, WI

Calls for Submissions: Profiles of the American Beekeeper

Like most of you I am a beekeeper. I started last year, and plan on taking the test for my Master Beekeeper’s Certificate. I have a “Bee Sensei” I will be studying with for the next three years. I am also a professional writer and playwright and worked in Municipal Administration most of my adult life.

I am very interested in collecting as many memoirs of beekeeping experiences including getting started, first experiences, tools needed, different hives, disease, fun, pleasurable experiences and not so pleasurable experiences, scientific data, types of bees and why, winterizing, grants, funding, novice and master beekeeping tales, as well as the processes of queen rearing and whatever else you can dream up.

I will need a release to print your story — in return I plan on having a directory in the back of my book for bee farms, bee supply houses, nuc sales, bee sales, queen breeding/sales, equipment, etc. I am happy to include your name and specialty if you are chosen for the book. I will send either a letter of acceptance which will include further instructions — or a letter of rejection wishing you all the best in your ventures in beekeeping. Be assured — you will receive a response from me personally — one way or the other.

A little about me: You might be wary not knowing me personally, but I have written for several different publishers over the years opening with subjects ranging from horse purchases over the Internet, to ruby glass collecting, to antique sword collecting. Some of these publications include Point of View Publications, Blood-Horse Publications, Militaria International Publications, Virgo Publications, Krause Publications, CanPlay of Canada, and Harris Publications. In addition, I have written various newspaper and magazine editorials. My interviewees include a number of remarkable people such as Jim Lehrer of PBS fame, and Canadian playwright David Carley in regards to his staged version of Margaret Atwood’s The Edible Woman in Canada.
I have also had my play Potato Chips produced by the Catherine Lindsey Actors/Playwrights Workshop in Darien, CT and sponsored by the Darien Arts Center July of 2003. My play Final Copy was performed by the Catherine Lindsey Actors/Playwrights Workshop in Darien, CT June, 2009. My play Body Shop is being produced by the Catherine Lindsey Actors/Playwrights Workshop in Darien, CT this summer, June 13, 2010. My plays Potato Chips, Final Copy, and Body Shop are all being considered for future production at the Palace Theatre, connected with Colgate University, in Hamilton, New York, as well as Slant of Light Theater in Norwalk, CT.

I am currently writing a timely fiction novel entitled Queen Bee, the genre being Eco/Political/Suspense, as well as this compilation of bee-related memoirs entitled Profiles of the American Beekeeper which will both hopefully be picked up quickly and published — while waiting for a job position to open up for me.

In three years I plan to live a self-sustainable existence on our 35 acre farm with honey-bees – so far we have Russian honey bees, Great Pyrenees dogs, Ramboulette Sheep, and Champagne D’Argent Rabbits.
Please email submissions and pictures to me at hive5555@hotmail.com or, even better, mail me your stories and hard copy pictures to me personally at my NJ address:

Mrs. Mary C. Charest-Professional Writer and Playwright
608 Washington Drive
Ramsey, NJ 07446
RE: Profiles of the American Beekeeper Submissions

Correction

ABJ regrets that Photo 10 of the J. Freeman 2009 article “Things we need to know about small hive beetles” Am Bee Journal 149 (10) 947-949 was used without permission of or attribution to the original author. The source was http://www.southern
matters.com/Bee_Plant/htm/images/x--small-hive_beetle_09-02.jpg.

Sagebrush Colony

Springtime 2010, in Southwest Idaho brought us lots of cool, rainy days interspersed with occasional breaks of near-normal weather. Our swarm season was "on" one day and then "off" the next, as the bees tried to keep up with the weather. Sometimes swarms could find the right weather window to locate a suitable new home. Other times, when caught by the constantly changing weather, swarms resorted to making the best out of a bad situation. On occasion this meant that the swarms would establish their hive in the oddest of places.
Kevin Duesman, a resident Boise beekeeper, found one such swarm building a nest out in the open sagebrush on the outskirts of Boise. On the Fourth of July, he relocated the hive by transferring them from their exposed home to a temporary hive box. The swarm was not the least bit defensive, as Kevin was able to move them into a temporary hive without a smoker or a veil. The bees were even gentle enough that he could make his own "bee beard" and mug this shot for the camera.

Steve Sweet, Chief Drone
Treasure Valley Beekeepers Club
Southwest Idaho

Letters to the Editor - August 2010

Excerpt

Open-Air Colony in Maryland

I am sending a few pics of an open-air hive. The hive is located in Carrol County, MD. I've heard through the grape vine it may be up to 8 years old.

Kim Runyon
Maryland


Honey Bee Stress Syndrome (HBSS) (or redefining what’s been affecting our bees)

For the past several years, the term Colony Collapse Disorder has been so commonly used and bantered about, that it almost seems to describe an identifiable problem that has befallen the honey bee. This perception seems to be particularly true with many of the new beekeepers coming on-line recently, as well as in the mind of the general public.  A primary problem with this assumption however, is that it neither accurately describes what has been affecting honey bees, nor has it led to tangible solutions for preventing future losses.
We need to remind ourselves that the current situation with large bee losses is not new. These situations have been occurring with honey bees in about ten (10) year cycles, since accurate historical records on beekeeping have been kept - and which go back to the mid 1800’s at least. What has happened over the past 20 years though, and probably just within the past 10 years for the beekeeping community, has been the rapid development and use of instantaneous and unregulated communications, particularly over the Internet.
In listening to and reading about accounts of CCD one is reminded about descriptions of “Killer Bees”, with all the attendant hype and exaggeration. Such accounts have tended to sensationalize and in some cases, distort the picture of what is actually going on.  Some, many perhaps, within the publishing and media industry have unabashedly expressed their belief that the foremost consideration for them is to sell newspapers, magazines and sound bites - not necessarily to provide factual information. Is it any wonder therefore, that the use of the term Colony Collapse Disorder may have become distorted and misunderstood?
There also seems to be an institutionalized mentality that has developed around the use of the CCD terminology. Many, but not all, academics and researcher, as well as many respected figures within the beekeeping community, seem to have adopted an acceptance of the term – as if it were established fact – when in actuality the situation with bee losses seems more complex and enigmatic than when the term was first coined.
Two other situations lend weight to the proposition that perhaps the time has come to retire the general use of the term Colony Collapse Disorder in favor of a less ambiguous and more straight-forward description: 1.) A need for greater objectivity/transparency and  2.) A difference of perspective coming from outside of the U.S.
A continual difficulty with the study of CCD has been an inability to nail-down a specific set of conditions and variables that may be responsible for the overall losses.  Viruses, parasitic fungi, pesticides, mites, climatic changes and even beekeeping practices have all been implicated as major causes of CCD at one time or another.  It seems possible, if not probable, that a discrete, repeatable list of causes and factors necessary to initiate symptoms of CCD will never be identified - much the same as it has been for the past 150+ years that large bee losses have been reported.  The analytical and detection technology we have nowadays (within the past 20 years particularly) are sophisticated indeed.  But an accumulation of large amounts of data do not necessarily lead to verifiable and repeatable results, which has been a main drawback with the CCD hypothesis up to now.
It is also noteworthy to mention that the degree of concern and importance that we give to CCD here in the U.S. is not necessarily shared by beekeepers and researchers outside of this country. With the current domestic concerns that we have here nowadays, there is a perception from outside that we tend to be overly preoccupied with issues of security and perhaps plots against us/the government, rather than actually dealing with what is.  This then tends to be interpreted by others as a preoccupation with finding culprits and calculated causes for our problems (including bee losses) rather than objectively looking at the variables.
As much as I would like to say that my training in scientific methodology allows me to make informed and objective choices about things affecting honey bees, I have to admit that this is not always the case.  I assume that this also happens with many of us at one time or another.  The problem seems to be considerably compounded however, when media and anecdotal accounts predominate over a need for statistically significant data.
Therefore, it is my suggestion that the term Honey Bee Stress Syndrome be adopted as a clearer, less ambiguous way to describe what’s been happening with our honey bees for the past several years, particularly in the U.S.  Hopefully, by implementation of new terminology, we can free ourselves from many of the self-limiting preconceptions that have been associated with the term CCD, while at the same time gaining a fresh perspective on what is actually involved with this syndrome.  Besides that, Honey Bee Stress Syndrome sounds much less ominous and foreboding than CCD – doesn’t it?

Allen Summers
Colorado

Letters to the Editor - July 2010

Full Version

July Cover Pictures

Dr. Zachary Huang of Michigan State University sent these beautiful buckwheat photos that he took while visiting Terry Klein, a long-time member of the Michigan Beekeepers Association. The buckwheat is grown by the state to attract ducks and the area is later flooded and used for duck hunting, according to Zachary. He helped Terry gain access to the buckwheat acreage for honey production by providing information to the state. Zachary said that in 2006 the State of Michigan had denied Terry access to the region, saying that buckwheat did not need bees. 
According to Dr. S.E. McGregor in his monumental book published in 1976, Insect Pollination of Cultivated Crops, "The buckwheat flower is usually unable to self-pollinate. The flower type prevents the pollen from automatically coming in contact with the stigma...The necessity of insect pollination for commercial seed production of buckwheat has been well established by Garber and Quizenberry (1927) and numerous workers in Russia, where this crop is grown so extensively...Unquestionably, the honey bee is the best pollinator of buckwheat because it is highly attracted to the buckwheat flower and efficiently and effectively transfers the pollen from anthers to stigmas, whether collecting pollen or nectar."

"Beekeepers Getting Stung By A Beekeeper"

We have some midnight beekeepers in the area of Wisconsin and Minnesota who are in the business of stealing hives of bees. Another way they work is to offer you a service of wintering your bees in the South. They offer to pick up your bees and bring them back in the spring. You may or may not get all of your bees back. You may only get half of them and they may not be in your equipment. You might end up with a lot of junk.
What drives these people to steal? Is it the price of honey and the demand or is it the glory of being able to have enough hives to go for the Almond Gold of pollination out in California? Will it help to have all your equipment branded or your name painted on everything? I am not sure, but it might help a bit. On the nights of the 26th and 27th of April I lost 33 good one-story hives of honey bees that were ready for the second box. In 2009 I lost a lot more through a shady wintering deal in the South arrangement. Are these two related? This person knew where one of my best beeyards was located.
What can you do to prevent this? Don't fall for a wintering deal without a signed contract of exactly how it will go, have all your equipment with your ID and never show them where your yards are.

Been Stung Bad Twice,
Dale Wolf
Wolf Honey Farm
Baldwin, WI

Strawberry Pollination

Here is a picture of strawberry pollination in Eagle, Nebraska. (Photo courtesy of Robert C. Davis)

What Happened to Bee Etiquette?

Is it because the new beekeeper1 with all his fast ways of doing things and big machinery does not respect the old (long-time) beekeeper.2 "Hurry up and get out of my way." I find that the new beekeepers don't look or scope out an area before dropping a hundred hives, whereas the long-time beekeeper has cleared the area and okayed it with the landowner. Nor does the new beekeeper check to see which beekeepers are in the area where he wants to put hives. "Drop, run and don't get caught by other beekeepers" seems to be the motto.
Also, those beekeepers who have a hundred or more hives in one place don't think about the other humans around there when they pick up the left-behind bees. That would mean they would have to come back and they don't want to do that. Instead, they leave it up to someone else to clean up what was left. The long-time beekeeper has had the same spot or territory for years. The territory for the bees hasn't changed. Yes, some groves are gone, but there are new ones. The same with other areas. There is no cause for any beekeeper to take away someone else's territory or overlap the area with bees, acknowedging there is a respect for the beekeeper who has been there for a long time. Yes, there is a lot of territory and a bee can fly at least a 2-mile radius. So, why are they in such a hurry to take one's spot?
The honey will be just as good in one spot as in another. The most is not always the best. "Quality first then quantity," is the long-time beekeeper's motto.

1 New beekeeper is one who is new to area or new at the beekeeping business
2 Old beekeeper refers to the beekeeper who has been in the area a long time or in the business for a long time.

Linda Struthers
Lake Wales, FL

Angel Honey

I have recently stayed in touch with you.
This is one of my honey labels that I made 10 years ago with my daughter, Angel. She was 9 in this photo. I currently sell my honey to local farmer's markets and health food stores in Lehigh Valley, PA. Everyone seems to enjoy my honey and love my label, it's so unique! I am sending you this photo, hoping you will enjoy it just as much as everyone else does and hoping one day it will buzz in on one of pages in your magazine.

Christopher Menezes
Lehigh Valley, PA

Charity Group Helps Beekeepers in Several Countries

We're buzzin' with news!! Beekeepers for Christ (BFC) has broadened its horizons while consulting on more projects worldwide!
* Mongolia - We are continuing to support the program to provide books for school children. We need someone to foster this ministry, teach beekeeping and financially adopt this ministry.
*  Kenya - Consulting with David and his wife Susan about their prospective projects in southern Kenya. David will be teaching beekeeping while Susan develops a yogurt company.
*  Sudan - Dan Mayer, the co-founder of BFC, contracted with Mophart and BBLTP to build smokers to send to a project along the Sudanese border along with the manuals sent out by Beekeepers for Christ.
*  Ivory Coast - BFC is donating bee suits to send to the Ivory Coast for a beekeeping project there.
*  Haiti - An in-depth new project has surfaced. There is a 200 acre established farm without a beekeeping project. We have a gentleman in the U.S. who has stepped up to lead this project. We have a goal in place.
*  Uganda - Continuing to work on our project and ministry in Uganda from its meager
beginnings using logs for hives to today's Langstroth hive-making classes, hive contracts and honey manufacturing; our Blessed Bee for Life Trading Post (BBLTP) project is nearly ready to spread its wings! We are just short of the funding needed to purchase the tools to take them to the next level; sustainability.

We are entering our final phase of the Uganda project by helping Blessed Bee for Life purchase a generator, table saw and other small wood-working tools. We will need $23,000 to complete this phase. GloryBee Foods, Inc. will contribute one-half or $11,500 towards this goal, but we are looking for matching gifts for the balance. Demand has surpassed their capability to produce.
We will continue to support their endeavor of becoming an established supply house for the region by the year 2011. By then, BBLTP will be prepared to handle the growing demand. This project is a success as it is now recognized as "the resource place" where people can get equipment for their own beekeeping projects, not only in Uganda, but in Sudan, Congo, Kenya and other countries. The BBLTP has become a major resource for the region by providing this equipment; it will increase their sustainability.
Beekeepers for Christ will continue to look for opportunitites where we can use the same concept as the Uganda project to bring a successful conclusion in other areas of the world. We will continue to work as a consulting resource for people who have projects of their own. We are not able to fund every project that surfaces in the region, but can provide information and expertise. We continue to support the Kei Health Center by providing food for HIV/Aids patients. A fall trip to Uganda is planned as the plans for an April trip were derailed due to the volcano in Iceland.
We will need your help to complete the final stage of this ministry and are only short a small amount to complete the purchase of the generator and woodworking equipment. If anyone's heart has a particular desire to be involved in this worthy ministry, please join us by sending your donations to BFC, P. O. Box 2744, Eugene, Oregon 97402. 100% of your tax deductible contribution goes directly to the project. Your check will be your receipt.
I have enjoyed sharing with you the incremental growth in each phase or project as we work diligently to fulfill God's plan for this ministry. It is with God's guiding hand that we work together to care for our neighbor as we would have him care for us.

Dick Turanski
GloryBee Foods, Inc.
Eugene, OR

Letters to the Editor

Excerpt

June 2010  

New York Boy Scout Troop Highlights Former Beekeeping Merit Badge

Got Milk?
That's what Boy Scout Troop 16 of Stone Ridge, NY asked when they decided to educate their community about Honey Bees and Beekeeping. The boys needed to come up with an idea to celebrate the Boy Scouts of America's 100th anniversary at the annual Boy Scout show at their local mall where other troops would also be displaying Scout memorabilia, Scouting traditions and games. Troop 16 chose to display the old Beekeeping Merit Badge that was earned by  Boy Scouts from 1911  up until 1995.

First, the boys learned about honey bees and beekeeper's equipment from local beekeepers Jim Ayers, John Petit and Teresa Eggers. Then, the boys decided to create a display that would help teach others what they had learned. They made some posters and planned to set up an empty hive for people to examine. They also had jars of honey for people to see and some beekeeping literature.

But it needed to be fun for younger children. That's where the milk came into play. The boys collected 80 half gallon milk and juice cartons, cut away the folded lid area and reshaped them into a six-sided box. Then, by crushing the 4 bottom corners in slightly, they were able to staple them together to created a giant honey comb. This was suspended above a table. Placed throughout the mall were cardboard flowers with "pollen and nectar" balls inside. Children and adults collected the pollen and nectar and brought it to the giant honey comb. Once they came to Troop 16's display with their forage, they were given more information about the role of the honey bee in our food production, pesticides and other threats to the honey bee, and the life cycle of the bees. The children then had the pleasure and challenge of throwing their pollen balls into the giant honey comb. Their reward was a sample of honey in the form of a "honey stix" donated to the troop by Nature's Kick Corporation.
The Scout Show was a great success for Troop 16 with many interested Scouts and non-Scouts passing by and asking multiple questions about the honey bees and beekeeping. Currently, the Beekeeping Merit badge is not offered by the Boy Scouts of America. Perhaps with more interest by other young Scouts, it will be reinstated.

Teresa Eggers
New York

Boy Scout Christopher Stowell Campaigns for
Re-instatement of Beekeeping Badge

My name is Christopher Stowell. I am 13 years old. I am a Boy Scout in Troop 250. I am also a Beekeeper in Skiatook, OK. I am a member of both the North East Oklahoma Beekeepers Association (NEOBA) located in Tulsa, OK, and The Oklahoma State Beekeepers Association.
I have recently learned that the Boy Scouts of America discontinued the Beekeeping merit badge in 1995. I have contacted the National Council and asked why they discontinued the merit badge.  They explained that there were not enough beekeepers in America who were able to teach scouts beekeeping. They also informed me that the reinstatement of the merit badge had been brought up several times since to no avail.

It seems to me that it would only make sense to encourage beekeeping if there are not enough beekeepers in our country. I believe that now more than ever before the survival of the honey bee is important to all. If other boys are not encouraged to learn how to become beekeepers, then there will be even fewer beekeepers in the future.  The reinstatement of the merit badge will lend validity to the art of beekeeping.
I have started a campaign to persuade the Boy Scouts of America to reinstate the Beekeeping Merit Badge.  I have a goal set to send in my proposal to the Council by July 15, 2010. At that time, I would like your endorsement of my proposal, as well as your help in getting as many beekeepers and people who believe in the importance of youth learning how to keep bees as possible involved in this effort.

This is what I need from you:
1. Please go to the Haagen Dazs web site and sign the petition and write a few words to the Boy Scout Council telling them why YOU believe that teaching the youth about honey bees is important. Click on THE BUZZ and you will find a picture of me there. Haagen Daz has offered to help by making an online petition so everyone can help.  Here are the site links for the Haagen Daz Petition: http://www.helpthehoneybees.com/#buzzlove http://www.experienceproject.com/beepetition
 
2. If you are a beekeeper, please go to www.beesource.com and look under the "Resources." There will be a link to resources for the Beekeeping Merit Badge Project. One of the documents listed there is a form resolution that your local beekeeping club or association could pass in support of this effort. Also, there are form letters and sample petitions that you could sign or take to your friends who keep bees. If you have a beekeeping club, you could pass out copies of those documents to the members.  Boy Scouts of America is concerned that there are not enough beekeepers to support the merit badge.  We need to prove that there are plenty of beekeepers who would help.
  
3. Please tell all the other beekeepers or other persons you know about this project and my requests for help.  For example, you could copy this letter and send it to your friends and to other beekeepers, gardeners, or business members in your community.  If you have friends who you send emails to, please send all of your friends an email asking them to go to the Haagen Daz website and sign my Petition.  Also, please tell them that this is not a Boy Scout project. I am doing this on my own. All expenses are paid for by my parents. So, please help get the word out.

If you have any other ideas on how you could help, please feel free to contact me. I would appreciate anything you can do to help. I look forward to hearing from you.  There is also a forum devoted to this project on Beesource.com, which you can look at by going to Beesource.com forums
  
Christopher Stowell
BSA Troop 250, Skiatook, OK
e-mail kstowell6@aol.com

Letters to the Editor - May 2010

Full Version

Reviving the Boy Scout Beekeeping Merit Badge

 Häagen-Dazs Ice Cream announced it is joining forces with 13 year-old Boy Scout Christopher Stowell of Troop 250, Skiatook, OK. Christopher is a beekeeper and is petitioning the Boy Scout Council for reinstatement of the Boy Scout Beekeeping merit badge that was discontinued in 1995. To sign the letter and petition, visit "The Buzz" page at http://www.helpthehoneybees.com/#buzz .
 "Christopher is an amazing advocate for honey bees and serves as a great example of learning about a problem and working to find a solution," said Mara Lowry, Häagen-Dazs brand manager. "It's because of people like him that we continue to be encouraged and inspired to work to help both bees and beekeepers, and we urge everyone to do their part. Signing this letter and petition is one small but impactful thing people can do."
 "Christopher says, "I believe that now more than ever before, the survival of the honey bee is important to all. If other boys are not encouraged to learn how to become beekeepers, the honey bee will surely die out. Not only do I feel this way, but beekeepers all across America believe in the importance of teaching the younger generations the importance of the honey bee."
 He enlisted our help and that of beekeeping organizations across the country for their endorsement and pledge that they will help train the Boy Scouts interested in beekeeping.
 We encourage you to send the letter for Christopher. Feel free to add your own thoughts in the designated area.  Häagen-Dazs will print and send all of the letters to Christopher at the end of June to support his proposal.
 You can also sign a petition at The Experience Project website (www.experienceproject.com/helpthehoneybees) to show your support.
 Good luck Christopher! We appreciate your hard work! (From March 2010 The Minnesota Hobby Beekeeper Newsletter)

Bob Sitko
Minnesota

National Honey Bee Day

 August 21, 2010 has been designated as National Honey Bee Day. We are asking for state and county bee associations to participate, promote, and take advantage of this special occasion. The national honey bee day allows individual bee groups to benefit from a national approach by making our voices heard by the combined efforts of all participating.
 National honey bee day 2009 consisted of 42 programs, across 16 states, all focused on educating the public and expanding the beekeeping industry. Some of the programs last year consisted of open houses at bee yards, educational programs at environmental centers, booths at county and state fairs, association membership drives, and honey-tasting events.
 This past year beekeepers all across the country voted through the national honey bee day website for a national theme. The selected theme for 2010 is "Local Honey - Good for Bees, You, and the Environment!" This year we have a goal to double the number of groups participating. Please consider contacting your local association if they are not participating in this worthwhile program.
 National Honey Bee Day is administered through "Pennsylvania Apiculture, Inc." a non-profit 501 (c ) filed with the state of Pennsylvania.
 For additional information please visit the website: www.nationalhoneybeeday.org

Mike Thomas

First World Organic Beekeeping Conference Scheduled for Bulgaria

 The First World Conference on Organic Beekeeping is going to take place in Sunny Beach, Black Sea Coast, Bulgaria, from 27 to 29 August 2010.
 This unique beekeeping event is organized by the Bulgarian Apimondia member association NBPS (Bulgarian Beekeeping Union) and the Bulgarian Organic Beekeeping Association.
 We are pleased to inform you that the conference website is now ready for abstract submission (www.bee-hexagon.net/en/abstract.htm) and registration (www.bee-hexagon.net/en/registration.htm ).
 For any further information or assistance in organizing your participation in the congress, please feel free to contact the  conference coordinator Dr. Stefan Bogdanov at info@bee-hexagon.net or the Apimondia  headquarters in Rome at apimondia@mclink.it.
 Looking forward to welcoming you this summer in Bulgaria!

Riccardo Jannoni-Sebastianini
 Apimondia Secretary-General
Tel.: +39-06-6852286
Fax: +39-06-6852287
E-mail: apimondia@mclink.it
Internet: www.apimondia.org

Visit with a Beekeeper in Shendi, Northern Sudan

 Shendi is a town about three hours north of Khartoum in Sudan. Although Sudan gets a lot of bad press for its wars and conflicts in Darfur and the South, as Africa's largest country, most of its vast territory is free of conflict. My husband and I were in Shendi for several weeks in December 2009 for his archaeological excavation at Abu Erteila, about 40 minutes from Shendi town. As beekeepers and Arabic speakers, we naturally began to ask around town if there were any beekeepers in this mid-sized agricultural town next to the Nile river. I had brought some honey from our Rhode Island hives that was highly prized by our hosts in upper Shendi, the family of Abu Talib Osman and his energetic and engaging wife, Maha. Through this tightly knit society, we easily found a local beekeeper, Abdel Karim Sayed, who is a third-generation beekeeper. He has a large area of fertile lands just next to the Nile river where he has kept up to 10 hives over the years, learning the trade from his father and grandfather.
 Beekeeping is not easy in this hot, dry climate where summer temperatures can climb to 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit.  The foraging season is short and occurs in the winter months of January and February when the only flowering of natural and cultivated plants and trees occurs resulting in relatively low yields of honey at about 20-30 pounds per hive. He reported that he averages a total of about 200 pounds of honey from his 10 hives. This surprised us as we thought foraging months would be greater than in our temperate climate, but intense heat is a deterrent to natural flowering plants and honey flows.  Abdel Karim uses Langstroth hives, although some traditional beekeepers in the Egyptian Nile Valley still use the long, tubular ceramic hives dating from Pharaonic times.  He prefers Carniolan queens that he purchases from neighboring Egypt to the north. Beekeeping is no less expensive in Sudan than in the US. A package of bees purchased from Egypt is about 400 Sudanese Pounds (= $200 ), and a single queen sells for 40 Pounds, about $20 US dollars. Mr. Abdel Karim is a local businessman who owns a soap factory, so farming and beekeeping combine to make a diverse economic livelihood for him and his family.
 Mr. Abdel Karim has suffered his share of losses like beekeepers around the world. However, his recent loss is unique. In 2007 the Nile River flooded and his 10 hives were destroyed (see picture) by the swirling river in his bee yard near to his farming fields. He reported that all of the bees fled the hives in advance of the rising waters, so they were not drowned. The bees are now are tantalizing him by living in the trees in his fields, he says, but he has failed to capture and regain a single colony or swarm. "I can hear them and they are active in the fields still pollinating my crops, but I have not attracted them back to the hives." He has Mango and Lime trees and grows fodder (birseem) for his livestock.
 In January 2010 Abdel Karim plans to start again and slowly rebuild his bee yard. In our pleasant late afternoon conversation we discussed the challenges and rewards of beekeeping. He had not heard of colony collapse disorder and nothing like this has affected beekeeping in the region. He did describe the death of a man in his childhood from multiple bee stings, perhaps from the spread of African bees to the area that historically has more in common with Mediterranean patterns of beekeeping, rather than those of sub-Saharan areas where bees are "kept" in logs and trees, or a variation of the Langstroth box with slats, but without foundation.
 The local family with whom we stayed were well aware of the health-promoting properties of honey and welcomed the jar of Rhode Island honey I brought as a gift. Sajda, the youngest daughter, was bitten in her sleep by an insect that caused her eye to swell. Maha, her mother, put the RI honey on her eye and the swelling disappeared overnight. Honey is highly valued, but native honey is scarce, so the Sudanese import honey from Saudi Arabia and China. Maha expressed interest in keeping bees, and indeed a local honey supply could be generated by small entrepreneurs placing their hives in the lush fields that line the river Nile.

Carolyn Fluehr-Lobban
cfluehr@ric.edu

Letters to the Editor - April 2010

EXCERPT

WHAT ARE BEEKEEPERS LOOKING FOR IN A QUEEN?

For the last three years, we have been producing queens and we have been overwhelmed with orders. We, like all queen producers, work hard to provide a queen that beekeepers rave over. We have found that talking to beekeepers and listening to their positive or negative feedback helps us in providing the type of queen they want.
As beekeepers, we have high expectations for our queens. Even when we have neglected or mismanaged our hives, we blame the problem on the queen. If the hive fails to make a large honey crop, we blame it on a poor queen, even though the weather was the worst in 30 years. If the bees die in the winter, we blame the queen and the queen producer who sold us the queen. We are hoping for a new breed of queens to save the day, but is this false hope?
In my home state of Illinois, we have started the Illinois Queen Initiative with a goal of producing local Midwest queens that are more accustomed to our climate, possess hygienic behavior, are winter hardy and are good honey producers. More and more states have such programs, turning to the queen to conquer all pests and diseases in the hive. This is placing a huge demand on breeders to present a queen that will bring a new sense of hope to beekeeping. But just what are beekeepers looking for in a queen?
I recently placed a survey on our website to find out what beekeepers want in a queen. I was very surprised at the results of this simple survey. Again, this is a simple survey I placed on my blog, but 673 people responded to the question: "When buying a queen, what is the most important queen characteristic you want to see?" Each participant had to pick one of the following six characteristics:

Honey Production
Gentleness
Winter Hardiness
Disease Resistant
Swarm Reduction
Mite Resistant

I was certain that the beekeeper's number one characteristic would be gentleness. After all, this seems to be the first trait bekeepers talk about when referring to their hives. And who doesn't talk about how much honey their hive produced? But much to my surprise, the number one characteristic that beekeepers want to see in their queens in disease resistance; 165 beekeepers chose disease resistance to be most important.
The second most important characteristic is gentleness, with 142 beekeepers weighing in. The third most important characteristic, with 131 beekeepers voting, is mite-resistant queens. Coming in fourth was winter-hardy queens, winning the hearts of 115 beekeepers. Fifth place was honey production with 80 votes. Last place was swarm reduction at 40 votes.
In summary, this survey tells us that beekeepers are willing to forgo honey production and gentleness if it means raising queens that can fight off diseases. As much damage that mites have done, the survey shows that beekeepers must be coping with mites to a manageable degree because they would rather have gentle bees than mite resistant bees.
Maybe our expectations for our queens are too high, or are they? As we continue to look for that silver bullet to solve all our beekeeping woes, just maybe the solution to our problem is that single bee in the hive with that little dot on her back. If so, those of us raising and selling queens need to listen to what the beekeepers are saying and continue to work toward queens which are resistant toward diseases, gentle, mite resistant, winter-hardy, produce good honey and do not swarm, in that order.

David Burns
Long Lane Honey Bee Farms
Fairmount, IL

FIRST EARLY SEASON FLIGHT

After many weeks of very cold weather, punctuated by several snowy periods, a short stretch of warm weather is coaxing our bees out of their winter clusters to cleanse their constitutions and collect early season pollen from witch hazel, crocus and dandelions. One of our Cordovan Italian honey bees decided to briefly warm herself on this beekeeper's finger. I've attached a photograph of the brief encounter for the enjoyment of all.

Fred Sloop
Buzzy Bee Apiary
Oak Ridge, TN

BEEYARD SIGN

Enclosed is a photo of the posted sign I designed for my beeyard utilizing the Navy Seabee emblem. It gets alot of attention, even from law enforcement. So far, I haven't had any problem with theft or trespassing. I keep my hives on a cattle trailer enclosed with re-bar to keep the bears at bay. The trailer is moved as needed to wherever the nectar and pollen source and brought back to the bee yard in the winter.

W. I. Yerby
Brodnax, VA

DONATIONS REQUESTED FOR PROPOSED NEW MINNESOTA BEE LAB

I want to address you and call you what you are: A "Keeper of Bees" not a "beekeeper". The difference is your willingness to go far beyond what is expected. I am asking that of you today. We need to support the new Bee Research Center at the University of Minnesota. I am not a professional fundraiser, so I don't have a slick presentation for you. I can only tell you from my heart that I passionately believe in this project.
You are a part of a very special group of people. You know as well as I do that those who are most successful with bees are innovative, hard working, creative, and able to visualize results. You like the outdoors, nature, traveling and sunshine during pollination. You can handle the setbacks and put-downs. Most importantly, you are willing to help each other out-even loan equipment or help others to rebuild when disaster strikes.
Once again, it's time to step forward beyond what is expected. We NEED this lab. And, the University of Minnesota NEEDS our help.
I am talking about the Center for Bee Research and Discovery at the University of Minnesota. I've been involved with this project for some time. I believe so passionately in this that I decided to include it in my will. My gift will be in honor of the Keepers of Bees who inspired others-People like my John, Homer Park and Cliff Thomas.
The work being done by the talented scientists at the "U" of "M" has far surpassed the present facilities. It's time to upgrade, rebuild and enlarge. The days of keeping bees in hollow logs has gone. Research has pulled us out of the past and is helping with the current day's problems and I pray for more solutions in the future.
I ask you to consider giving and maybe even more than a one-shot gift. Whether or not you choose to be a part of this, please share this information with others who have the means and heart to support this goal.
Thanks so much. I have always supported Keepers and will continue as long as I am able. This is not lip service on my part, but an appeal from my heart for your help and my continued loyalty to you the Keepers and the Bee Industry.
For questions about donating money for the proposed new Minnesota Bee Laboratory contact the CFANS Development Office at (612) 624-4285 or by email at cfansdev@umn.edu With your help, we can take our solution driven science to the next level.

Liz Vaenoski
Vaenoski Honey Farms
1-262-296-1877
12026 S. State Road 140
Clinton, Wisconsin 53525
Email: luvbees@gmail.com

Letters to the Editor - March 2010

"Snow Apiary"

This is what happened when some teenage East Texas beekeepers see snow. We built a snow "apiary" while we were on vacation in Kansas. We built it the day after Christmas.

Mike
Kingfisher Apiaries
East Texas

More On the White House Hive

As regards the skeptical letter in the January issue of the ABJ "Honeygate?" I must respond.

The 130 pounds of surplus honey reported taken from The White House hive is an impressive yield for a single colony in the Chesapeake region.

However, Charlie Brandts, The White House beekeeper, is a member of our bee club. He is the most quiet and unassuming of beekeepers. If he says that 130 pounds of surplus honey were taken from The White House hive, you can take that to the bank.

I was able to take 120 pounds of honey from one of my colonies this summer, a colony I like to refer to as my "super colony". The writer of "Honeygate?" is correct in stating that in the Chesapeake region about one-quarter of that amount or about 30 pounds is the norm.

However, 2009 was no ordinary year in our region. The honey flow that began in May continued throughout June and July. My hive scale colony continued to gain weight until the fourth week of July.

In seven years of beekeeping, this 120 pound colony was a hum-dinger. This was an all-time record for me.

James Denny
Catonsville, Maryland

Caucasian Bee Sanctuary

The APISELECT Team and the breeding station Oya were founded on the island of Yeu in 1978. These partners do not only produce high quality Caucasian queens, but also aim at preserving the purity of the species. Accordingly, for the last 20 years, since 1986 to be exact, the center has been pursuing the creation of pure bee stocks of Caucasian queens whose ecotype is adapted to beekeeping countries in Europe and abroad. L'ile d'Yeu has become a unique sanctuary entirely and purely for Caucasian bees.
 
The island is located in the French high seas, 20 kilometers away from the coasts of Vendee (Atlantic coast). Furthermore, the island presents many features favorable to beekeeping. Consequently, the station benefits from a complete isolation and a natural protection against genetic pollution thanks to its insularity. Moreover, 65% of its surface is situated in a protected zone which allows the bees to gather nectar freely from the 780 different plants that grow on the island's various landscapes. As a consequence, l'ile d'Yeu is one of the most adapted reservoirs for central Europe.
 
The Caucasian bee presents many qualities, among which is the ability to be crossed successfully with other varieties. Many researchers have demonstrated an interest of such crossings. Mirza and Marcovici (1965) obtained an increase in honey production of 26.99% by crossing Italian/Caucasian bees. In France, Fresnay (1974) obtained a production increase of 40 to 50% with a third crossing with hybrids of the first generation (A. m. mellifica.X A. m. caucasica). He increased his output production by 116% with a triple combination (A. m. ligustica X A. m. caucasica) X A. m. mellifica. In Bulgaria, triple hybrids (local bees x A. m. caucasica x A. m. carnica), gave a surplus of 60 to 70% more honey.

Furthermore, Nicole Russier has supported in her recently published thesis the fundamental role of Caucasian honey bees in high quantity honey production in the Pyrenees (NRA de Montfavet Avignon, Etudes Approfondies de Génétique et Sélection Animale et Végétale). Moreover, she argues for the absolute necessity for a beekeeping center specializing in Caucasian genetic selection in an isolated area in order to maintain this variety of honey bee.
 
If you would like to correspond regarding our Caucasian bee breeding efforts, contact us at the address below.

APISELECT
Director, M. Vienne
Le marais salé
85350 Ile d'Yeu - France.
e-mail : apiselect.yeu@free.fr
Website : www.apiselect.free.fr

Egg Transfer Not So New

The December 2009 ABJ report on Apimondia includes Canadian veterinary researcher John Pollard's pioneering work on ways to ship honey bee germplasm-including the transfer of eggs with special forceps. To clarify, it is his device that is new, not the ability to transfer eggs.
To give credit where credit is due, the late Steve Taber published a paper on the subject almost 50 years ago: "Forceps for tranferring honey bee eggs". J. Econ. Entomol. 54 (2): 247-50, 1961. Alfred Dietz, professor emeritus, University of Georgia, published "The Effects of Positions on Hatching of Honey Bee Eggs in the Laboratory". J. Econ. Entomol. 57 (5): 392-395. Thanks to Dr. Dietz for the clarification.

M.E.A. McNeil

More On "A Contemporary Hive Stand"

I equipped my first hives with Screened Bottom Boards (SBB) that I purchased unassembled and modified for use with 8-frame hive bodies. They were ruggedly built of 2x4'' lumber and strong enough to serve as stands. I often thought it would be interesting to combine the features of a Slatted Rack with those of a Screened Bottom Board in one assembly. However, doing so seemed like it would require the stand to be built from even larger wood, making it impractical in both cost and weight. The only way I could see this working out would be to have the entrance incorporated in the stand itself. By cutting the entrance into the stand, there is no room to install "slats" to provide additional cluster space. The entrance is routed at an angle to shed rain and it leads the bees onto the varroa screen. My 8-frame "SBB-Slatted Rack-Stands" are cut from 2x4's.
My new stands may have an unconventional look, but they offer the following advantages:

• A smaller, more easily guarded entrance (used with upper entrances when desired)
• Slatted rack qualities are part of the SBB assembly
• Rugged construction eliminates the need for stand
• The hives can be placed in a level position

For readers who may not be familiar with Slatted Racks, Dr. Charles C. Miller is considered to be the inventor. Many years later, Carl E. Killion improved on the idea with the addition of the wide "front-board", which extends in, above the hive entrance. The purpose of the slatted rack was to increase ventilation in hives used in the production of comb honey. Air flow and cluster space were both increased with their use. With the current use of screened bottom boards, I do not believe slatted racks do much to improve ventilation. There is still the additional cluster space which they provide, and the front-board may offer an obstacle to robbers and intruders
In place of the front-boards, some of my stands have an 8 mesh screen "mezzanine" which will allow mites to drop through or be covered with propolis to the bees' liking. I will eventually bevel the top edges of the stands to shed the rain and possibly add small landing-boards. I made a few for 5-frame nucs and 8-frame hives, and I am
looking forward to testing them with bees in the spring.

Joseph Stafford
Cos Cob, CT

Some of Our Record 1951 Comb Honey Production

On this table is 55 supers (24 sections each) of comb honey. This represents only a small part of our record 1951 comb honey prodution in Illinois, which we wrote about in the February 2010 Letters to the Editor. We produced an average of 336 sections of comb honey from each of 100 colonies. At $8.00 per section for today's prices, I could have retired long ago! Unfortunately, in 1951 we sold the comb honey for $3.60 per case of 24 sections. That averages out to be only 15 cents per section of comb honey and each section weighed from 15 to 16 ounces apiece. (Eugene Killion, Killion & Sons Apiaries, Paris, IL)

Letters to the Editor - February 2010

excerpt

Beekeepers' Survey

I, along with Wendy Schweigert and a team of her students from Bradley, will be conducting research about beekeepers and their characteristics. The results of this research will be used to identify characteristics of those who chose to become beekeepers, to compare various subgroups of beekeepers with each other, and to compare other groups with beekeepers.
If you are 18 years or older and keep bees, you are invited to be a part of this research by completing a short anonymous survey about beekeepers. We are interested in new beekeepers as well as those who are experienced. Hobbyist, sideliners and commercial beekeepers are all invited to participate. The survey can be found at [URL for survey on surveymonkey.com]. The survey will be available online until February 14, 2010.
If you have any questions about this research, please feel free to contact Dr. Wendy Schweigert wendy@bumail.bradley.edu
To access the survey click on the following link, or cut and paste it into your browser. https://www.surveymonkey.com
/s/9NSWHZ5

Larry Krengel
lkrengel@mc.net

Florida Honey Standard Exemption Requested

Letters to the Editor - January 2010

A Swarm of Bees By Any Other Name. . . .Terms of Venery

We've all heard of a herd of cows, a pod of whales, a swarm of bees, a colony of bees or a hive of bees. I was researching the proper term for a group of otters ("a romp") when I ran across a couple unheard of (to me at least) terms used to describe a group of bees - a bike of bees or a grist of bees (evidently because they look like a pile of grain ready to be milled). Terms of venery (collective nouns for groups of animals) were popular among the aristocracy in Old England separating them from the yeomen; aristocrats were expected to discuss hunting in the proper terms. Many of these terms have been relegated to use in crossword puzzles or by erudite Scrabble players; some are fascinating- e.g. a parliament of owls, an ostentation of peacocks - but my all time favorite is a gallon of petrels. Can anyone come up with more bee terms? My Russian customers to whom I sell package bees are always saying "Steve, we need six families of bees." After a discussion with a Russian friend I found the term for a colony of bees is ??????? ????? which, literally translated, means "bee family".

Stephen Petersen
Fairbanks, Alaska

Beehive Cake Winning Tennessee Photo

I am sending a photo that I entered in the Tennessee State Beekeeping Convention this past week. The judge was Ann Harman, who writes articles for you from time to time. I won a blue ribbon for the photo and was told by Ann to send it in and see if you would be interested in using it. If so, you have my permission to do so. I am a new beekeeper and enjoy your articles every month; they are very helpful.

Ed Close
Tennessee

"Honeygate"?

The published production results for the White House hive seem odd - even suspicious. About 130 pounds of surplus for a colony in D.C.? Questionable, since the annual average surplus in that general area is something like one-quarter of that amount. So, were the results rigged, somehow, and, if so, why? As you know, honey production of a hive can be significantly boosted by adding bees or brood from other hives. Seems to me that the amount of surplus reported is open to question.

Bob Edney

Celebrating Honey Bee Science With L.L. Langstroth's 200th Birthday

Two hundred years after his birth in 1810, Rev. Lorenzo Lorraine Langstroth, known as the "Father of American Beekeeping," will behonored. Langstroth's discovery of "bee space" and his invention of the movable-frame beehive will be celebrated with a national network of exhibits, workshops and seminars and, with your help, perhaps a commemorative U.S. postage stamp as well.
Langstroth started with "two stocks of bees in common box hives" while serving as a minister in Andover, Mass. in the 1830s. Before long he was studying beekeeping in depth. He observed his bees and sought to understand their ways in order to build hive boxes which would allow him to better combat the destructive wax moths and collect surplus honey without harming the bees or damaging their wonderful honey comb.
This is the essence of the scientific method. Those who might think that Langstroth was an unlikely scientist would be misunderstanding the role of science in our lives. The scientific method involves experiencing the world in which we live, responding to the curiosity that naturally resides inside us, devising a method of observing and recording, testing and confirming our expectations, and evaluating the results we achieve. It is available and important to each and every one of us, just as it was to Langstroth.
Langstroth's efforts gave us a way to raise large quantities of bees, keep them healthy and collect their honey in a truly sustainable way, without destroying their home. We all owe him thanks and, the year 2010, his 200th birthday year is a great time for people across the country to celebrate him in ways that benefit us all.
Our effort to honor Langstroth will include the study and appreciation of his efforts and what they have yielded. Throughout the year 2010, the Down to Earth Program, which I direct for the non-profit Science Friday Initiative (SFI), will be developing and coordinating a national network of workshops, exhibits and gatherings to teach and learn about the considerable science connected with the honey bee. Please visit the Down to Earth section of
the SFI Web site for details. (www.
scifri.org/dte)
But there's something we need to do right NOW. We must convince the U.S. Postal Service that America deserves a commemorative postage stamp created in honor of this outstanding under-appreciated American. It is my hope that the beekeeping community, anyone who enjoys honey, and everyone who appreciates the foods we eat which depend on the honey bee, will write a letter encouraging the U.S. Postal Service to honor Langstroth in this way at this special time.
I believe that a flood of letters will help to convince the Postal Service how important Langstroth is to all of us. The U.S. Postal Service Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee will be considering a Langstroth stamp at their January 2010 meeting, so please send them a letter, today. Get everyone you know on board the postage stamp campaign, and have them enlist their friends.
We will also be preparing a mass petition. Please send an email to me at LLL200@scifri.org and include your Zip Code so that we may show the geographic breadth of this support. This is also a great way to coordinate celebrations in your community with ours.

Carl Flatow
Science Friday Initiative

Winter Packing

I have been trying to come up with a way for providing winter protection for my bees in Nebraska. I thought about providing a fence, or using hay bales around the hive and other methods. All these methods cost money and I am trying to do beekeeping as more than just a hobby. So here is an idea I came up with. This provides the bees with a small hay stack protection. The bags of leaves come from others who are just throwing them away. I just pick them up and pile them around the hives, leaving the entrance for the winter sun.
I plan to put black tar paper on the front so the winter sun can warm the hive. Some grass is placed between the hive and the bags for insulation. In the spring the bags can be removed and either spread in the corn field or given to the recycle man. The people who pack the leaves in the bag are happy their efforts are helping the bees, and I am happy they are doing this so I don't have to pack the leaves. And, the bees get protection from the winter winds.

Robert C. Davis
Cedar Grove Apiary
Eagle, NE

Letters to the Editor - December 2009

(excerpt)

Exposed Colony on Tree Limb

I'm an avid and dedicated reader of the American Bee Journal, and have been keeping bees since the spring of 2007. A friend told me about an exposed hive in a tree near her home in Kittery, Maine, so I went to take a look.
I've attached the photos I took-pretty amazing (and mysterious) what bees can do.
Hope you enjoy these.

Karen Johnson
Portsmouth, N.H.

Bee Tree Saved

Loggers, Scott (left) and Joe Ehrenzeller felled and trimmed out the big white pine without ever knowing it was a "bee tree". After Joe hooked onto the tree and started dragging it, he noticed a huge swarm of honey bees trailing behind the skidder. The bees went back in the tree that night. Early the next morning we trapped the bees inside the "hive" by tacking window screening over the entrance hole, and Joe bucked the tree into a 22' log that contained the bees.
Log truck driver, Charlie Holtry strapped down the logs. Bears are common at the logging site, and would surely have destroyed the bees if the "hive" hadn't been moved. So, Charlie loaded the bee tree onto his truck and hauled it to the Holman property. There he placed it onto a forked cherry tree so it wouldn't fall over. Later that day the screen was removed and the bees were set free.

Mark E. Holman
Forestry & Wildlife Consulting
Mifflinburg, PA

Letters to the Editor  - November 2009

HISTORICAL BEEHIVE MAILBOX THROUGH THREE GENERATIONS

I was seven years old when I watched an uncle build this beehive mail box in 1930. It stood at the Sperry home near Lawrence, KS until around 1980 and now stands near Kindred, ND.

A picture of my father standing beside it appeared on the cover of a 1950 issue of the Journal. Enclosed is a shot of myself beside it and one of my sons, Mark, who now owns Sperry Apiaries.

Ken Sperry Kindred, ND

MOUNTAIN MEN AND THE HONEY BEE

 My name is Ronald N. Dolbeck and I am a small business owner in San Diego, Ca. I am also acquainted with Dr. G. Gage Skinner, anthropologist and contributor to your magazine. I cannot adequately put into words my pleasure while reading "Sweet Encounters, Mountain Men and the Honey Bee on the Fur Trade Frontier" in your August issue.

As a small child growing up in the middle of the Adirondack mountains, I became enamored with nature, and history. Since Fort Ticonderoga was a focal point during the French and Indian war and the American Revolution, the area has been the site of many historic and provocative occurrences throughout the past three centuries. Many historical accounts of battles and engagements permeate the history books surrounding those two significant periods in our nation's history and that area of the country.

I felt the need to provide some background for you so that you might fully appreciate the impact of the article I referenced in my first paragraph. Occasionally, I have the opportunity to have lunch with Dr. Skinner and share small talk about newsworthy topics (these are short conversations) and philosophical opinions. On one such occasion we were discussing a childhood experience of mine and I was sharing the impact my uncle Merrill, a New York Conservation Officer, had upon me and my siblings through the exposure he provided us to nature and the bountiful treasures provided in the deep woods of the Adirondacks. One of those unforgettable events was the summer sojourn to the fields adjacent to Lake George to "line bees" and discover their natural hives. I remarked to Dr. Skinner that we were able to accomplish our mission through the utilization of a "bee tree locator box" which we utilized to capture and release honey bees in order for them to lead us to their hive in a hollow log, a living tree, etc. We would mark this location and return in he early fall to "smoke" the bees into a relaxed state to enable us to procure the honey. The honey, once obtained would then find its way into "gunny sacks" in the basement of our home where they would be hung above glass jars strategically placed to catch the drippings. As the jars filled, mom would melt paraffin and seal each jar to ensure a ready supply of fresh honey was available throughout the year. Each time that nectar was applied to our toast, pancakes, or french toast, the memory of the days and events leading up to having this delicacy were replayed in my mind.

I wanted to make you aware of the impact that article and your magazine's efforts to keep some of "Americana" alive have not gone unnoticed. In fact, you have provided this individual a trip back through space to a time and events that filled his heart with joy, his head with knowledge, and his soul with peace. I thank you for your efforts to keep the history of our country and its rich heritage out there where future generations "may" be exposed to wonders that only few have encountered.

Dr. Skinner is a unique individual and as exhibited by this article, a man of insight and love for our wonderful country, its history, its promise, and its never ending wonders. I sincerely hope that we will be able to share additional offerings from Dr. Skinner in your publication, as well as others who dedicate themselves to keeping the history of our great nation alive.

R. N. Dolbeck

HONEY BEE ON SUNFLOWER

Hello from two first-year beekeepers in southwest Washington. It was by good luck rather than good management that two sunflowers sprouted directly in from of our three hives last month; we wanted to share this photo of one of our Italian bees enjoying the sunflower opportunity!

Susanne Weil & Peter Glover Onalaska, Washington

BEE REMOVAL

It is August and we seem to be still getting those calls about removing bees from someone's property. Last week the call was "I have some bees in a tree by my house and I need to have them removed." Exploring some of the details resulted in the following comments: "I know they are honey bees, they have been there about a week." And then the most revealing comment: "They are going in and out of their house." "What do you mean when you say they're going in and out of their house?" I asked. The man explained, "They have this big house on the branch of the tree." I asked "is it sort of grey and perhaps looks like it is made of paper?" After talking a little more, we agreed that he had a hornet's nest in his tree and I gave him some options for dealing with the situation. This detailed discussion allowed me to avoid a drive of about 30 miles one way.

This week the phone rang. "I have some honey bees on my property. I've called various people without any success, and finally found your name at the Extension office. I put up several squirrel boxes on my pine trees and the bees moved into one of them. I know there is a shortage of honey bees, so I thought someone might want to save them."

My immediate reaction was that the caller must be mistaken about honey bees. Never having seen a squirrel box, I imagined it to be too small for a colony of bees. As seems to always be the case, the initial report of "honey bees" deserved more questioning. A lengthy discussion revealed that "they've been there since last year," "right now they're swarming all over the front of the box," and "Yes, I am positive they are honey bees." Since the caller's residence was only about six miles away, I told him I would stop by and investigate the situation. The next day I drove over to take a look at the "squirrel box full of honey bees." There in his back yard, about 40 feet from his house and up about 25 feet on the side of a large pine tree was the squirrel box.

After some discussion about the alternatives available, the owner agreed to treat this (in the words of Jim Tew) as a survivor colony. It will remain where it is with the hope that it makes it through the winter. If it does, I may transfer the colony to a larger home next spring.

David G. Smith EAS Master Beekeeper Past President, MD State Beekeepers Assoc

QUEEN BEE CELEBRATES FIRST BIRTHDAY

We are blessedly buzzed to celebrate the first birthday of our newest queen bee, Isis Rose Blossom Spitzig! She has brought much love, patience and wonder to us this past year! We hope your first birthday will be honey sweet with many more to follow! Feliz cumpleanos mijita querida! You're the best apprentice! Love, Mommy Melanie and Daddy Mark (Zia Queenbee Co.)

Melanie Kirby Zia Queenbee Co.

P. O. Box 317, Truchas, NM 87578

HOMEMADE OBSERVATION HIVE

I have been providing a honey bee and product display in the kid's tent at the Walworth County Fair here in Wisconsin for the last four years. I fabricated a three-frame observation hive from some oak scraps. For the six day run of the fair over the Labor Day weekend, I put two frames full of capped and developing brood and one full frame of honey. There is plenty of bee activity with the bees tending the young bees, and the honey provides food for the duration. The observation hive is provided with top and bottom venting on the back, and is secured together with two 1/4-20 bolts in the top.

I also built a display case in the same style, and pack it with different honey-related products. This is a hit with the kids. I usually spend time over a few days attending the display, giving out honey stix and honey recipe cards, and explaining the honey bees. The kid's tent is packed from morning to evening with a variety of displays and activities. Next year they will be giving out honey sticks instead of the chips given now. This is a good method of promoting honey bees and beekeeping, and I get a chance to answer all of the honey bee, wasp and hornet questions. I also have pamphlets for the Milwaukee Waukesha Beekeeping Association, with information and website. There are usually a few beekeepers looking for a group, and a few people interested in starting beekeeping.

Andy Hemken Big Bend, Wisconsin

SUGAR ROBBERS

Here is a picture of a coon and calf stealing an entrance feeder. I thought you might like to see this. In four nights the coon learned how to take lids off jars. The cows leave them alone after a few tries. I use top feeders now.

Glenn Gentry Paradise, TX

AFRICANIZED HONEY BEES

I would like to thank Dr. David Fletcher for his article about the Africianized bees.

I congratulate him for putting into print what needed to be said. The history he cites and some notable exceptions to what is supposed to be true to me as a person interested in the truth is truly appreciated.

I am Dr. William Eugene Connella. I live in Alexandria, Louisiana. I have been in love with bees since I was first stung by a bee in my father's beehives at the age of three. I have gotten swarms of bees out of mailboxes,wood duck nest boxes,water meters, houses,armadillo holes, bird houses and even a garbage can with the queen bee in a Budweiser beer can. I am 73 years old and I have spent 40 years teaching science and other courses. I taugh a genetics unit with all of the genetic laws of Gregor Mendel, an Austrian monk, six times a year for 12 years.

I want to take exception to Dr. Fletcher's remark calling the Africianized bee crosses, the F1 generation, trash bees. The reason I want to take exception to this is because without this occurring in nature and the natural selection process, we would all perish.

In humans we have 46 chromosomes and a science book with a mistake on page 621 reads as follows; 48 chromosomes---(we have 46)--can be separated into 16,777,216 different haploid combinations so for humans that is 281,474,976,710,656 different combinations during fertilization or possible different individuals. The reason I quote the above is to show the almost infinite possibilities in the F1 cross and more in the F2 Generations due to homozygous doubled up traits.

A queen bee has 23 chromosomes, which is roughly half the human chromosomes, so the number of possible gametes would be approximately half of the human 48 (46 remember mistake they originally made in human genetics) which would be 8,388,608 possible gametes for combination with the haploid male bee, which has 13 chromosomes. This would give us half of the gametes that a queen bee has or 4,194,304 possible combinations in a single bee egg for a male gamete. The number would be very large for different combinations for a single bee. If you want to know--go figure --this staggers my mind--the supreme being we call our God is not stupid. He has this all figured out.

The reason I quote the above is to show that we cannot call the F1 generation junk bees--one of these junk bees that toughed it out in the wild-- our so-called feral bees --may be the right combination, -- especially in the F2 generation --- that will save the bee industry in the United States if not the world.

So to Dr. Fletcher - I thank you for a super article on the right subject at the right time. Setting the record straight.

Dr. William Eugene Connella Alexandria, Louisiana

DISAGREES WITH DR. FLETCHER

Thank you for the September Issue. The article on Alaska beekeeping was a highlight! However, I was disappointed by the David Fletcher article on African(ized) Bees. He seems to argue two sides of the same coin when touting the merits of Darwinian natural selection, yet then claims the surviving Africanized bees that made their way into Texas were genetic trash. It sure sounds like these bees were the survival of the fittest. It seems that Dr. Kerr and Dr. Fletcher share the same arrogance in their thinking and strategy to tame this bee.

Michael Davies El Paso, Texas

DR. FLETCHER RESPONDS

Mr. Davies has missed an important point; each time I suggested that the African(ized) bees that entered the United States are "genetic trash," I was very careful to qualify this by emphasizing that this was from a North American beekeeping point of view. Thus, while he is right to conclude that the feral bees are well enough adapted to their new environment, I am sure he would not claim that they are well adapted to the requirements of beekeepers. Perhaps I was at fault in not specifically pointing out that, with docile African stocks in apiaries, the undesirable traits of the feral African(ized) population would, over time, have every chance of being ameliorated, a benefit that history says we cannot reap from the policy of maintaining exclusively European stocks.

Dr. Daivd Fletcher Lewisburg, PA

NATIONAL HONEY BEE DAY

We would like to say thank you to all those who supported National Honey Bee Awareness Day on August 22, 2009. We were supported by many individuals, organizations, and folks at the American Bee Journal. The camaraderie and excitement generated no doubt benefited all who participated in many ways.

There were 15 states and 39 bee associations that took part in the day's events. Presentations and programs were aimed at educating the public, expanding the bee industry by signing up new members, and getting others involved. Local, regional, and national news picked up on the event and it was a day for beekeepers to shine in so many ways.

The day was formally recognized on August 11, 2009 by the United States Department of Agriculture with a proclamation, and signed by the Secretary of Agriculture, Thomas J Vilsack. Tina Bowen and her son Zeph, from Terre Haute, Indiana, were instrumental in getting this accomplished and they are to be commended for their efforts.

Plans are now underway for the next National Honey Bee Day for this coming year. We invite all beekeepers and associations to get involved, and come together in promoting the very industry we all love. A list of this year's participants, details about National Honey Bee Day, as well as other information can be found at www.

Nationalhoneybeeday.com We can not say it enough, Thank you to all who participated. This started as a simple idea and quickly grew. We look forward to many more positive returns for the bee industry as we move forward in the future.

Mike Thomas

IOWA BEEKEEPING ON THE BRINK

Iowa beekeepers witnessed the second poorest honey crop in the beekeeping history of Iowa beekeeping. In just a few days in June some colonies managed to store some honey in the surplus honey supers. That was followed by weeks of weather and days when the bees didn't bring in enough honey for their own use. The end result of that is devastating.

Under any ordinary circumstances colonies would remove and use the honey that has been stored in the surplus honey supers. NO, NOT THIS TIME! The bees used the honey that was in the brood chambers and as the cells were emptied, the queen expanded her egg laying so as of the middle of September, most colonies have ten or more combs of brood at the time of year when they should have maybe three or four. This has left the brood chambers feather light as far as honey is concerned.

I haven't weighed my colonies yet, but I expect to put at least 30 pounds of honey back into them.

One other year, it may have been in the 1950's, there was an average of 25 pounds of surplus honey on our own few hundred and that was the state's average. All during those years our colonies would produce from 125 to 150 pounds annually. However, that year recovery was much easier since even then the bees had provided themselves fairly well in the brood chambers. So, wintering the colonies was no different than usual.

Keep in mind that two standard brood chambers with empty combs weigh 37 pounds. By having no questionable amount of honey, bees and brood the total weight needs to be 115 pounds without the outer cover. Then, no need to be concerned until next April.

With doing everything possible, I may be a bit pessimistic, but I for see at least 80 percent plus loss of colonies in the months ahead. You will not have honey available to supply the need and to get adequate sugar syrup into them is next to an impossibility.

Iowa State College Bee Research told us years ago that it takes two pounds of sugar to equal one pound of honey. Then, the bees work hard to convert the sugar to invert for their use. So, if 30 pounds bring my colonies up to weight it would require 60 pounds of sugar.

We always say "maybe next year" I hope there is a next year.

Glen L. Stanley Iowa State Apiarist Emeritus Ames, IA

GUARD FROG

I put out a bait hive in July, as it looked like my bear-shaped hive would swarm. I placed a deep super with foundation and a few drawn combs on a plastic barrel nearby. In walking past one day, I noticed something blocking the entrance. Upon closer examination, I discovered a gray tree frog at the entrance. A few days later I noticed one on each side. Must be a good place to catch bugs to eat. The hive didn't swarm, and the frogs are standing guard every day. Thought it might be interesting. Hope all is well.

Andy Hemken Big Bend, Wisconsin

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