score card

Did you wonder why I was so excited a couple of days ago about 103 graft acceptances?  I got my numbers backwards, it  was really 301 out of 426.  So, here's the score so far.  First day, when Yonny did most of it, 301.  Second day, 238, poorer boxes, fewer bees in swarms and shakers.  And, Friday's grafts, 279.  So, who knows what all is going on...we marked each of our frames of grafts today, so day after tomorrow, we'll know who is the stinker.  I sure hope it is him, because since he is using a different light/magnifier than usual, he has an excuse.  Anyway, we are still on track to reach our goal.  Real beekeepers (read, commercial beekeepers) plan for failures and aim high.  We were shooting for 1800, when we really only needed 1600.  This is something we backyarders could really learn from.  If we want 4 colonies, we should aim for 6, and with losses, we'd have the 4 we wanted, or have 2 to sell.  
   Tomorrow, I'll have some tips for what important things to look for when checking your swarm box for accepted cells.  T
PS.  Since these bees are so excitable, no one wants to take their gloves off to use the camera, so no pics of gorilla feet.

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