[NatureNS] Bees

From: "Jean Timpa" <jtimpa@ns.sympatico.ca>
To: NatureNS@chebucto.ns.ca
Date: Sat, 14 Jul 2007 00:00:56 -0300
Precedence: bulk
Return-Path: <naturens-mml-owner@chebucto.ns.ca>
Original-Recipient: rfc822;"| (cd /csuite/info/Environment/FNSN/MList; /csuite/lib/arch2html)"

next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects

Index of Subjects
	I believe that when honey is advertised as clover honey the hives are usually set up 
in the big pink or red clover fields. Bees prefer alfalfa, and just adore the tall sweet clovers, 
both white and yellow, which are planted regularly along our main highways to prevent 
erosion. 
	Sam vander Kloet, our world renowned blueberry expert here at Acadia, who works 
closely with the NS Blueberry Association members, tells me that the all important 
pollinating bees are being hit by a number of discouraging pests right now, mites, fungi, and 
other unhealthy critters. I don't think he is very convinced about the cell phone theory just 
yet, but a study in England, for what it is worth, was quite adament about its unhealthy 
qualities. The blueberry growers "love" the big wild bumblebees, as they will get out and 
work when it is much cooler and rainy, whereas the honey bees will stay in their hives. Time 
will tell, I suppose  what is really going on, and hopefully we will always have real honey, 
and not have to design an artifical product which has already been suggested by some of 
the doom and gloom predictors. Insect populations can be very cyclic, and very low 
numbers can still suffice to bring back a decent rally in population numbers, when it often 
does not seem likely. 
	I do miss seeing them around and just hope that my peas and beans will pod out 
without their presence. Cucumbers and squash are pretty dependent upon them, as I recall.  
I may have to get out a small paint brush and do some extra gardening work!  Jean

next message in archive
next message in thread
previous message in archive
previous message in thread
Index of Subjects