In a 5-year study at Beaverlodge, Alta. (lat. 55° N.), 1-kg packages of honey bees hived in mid-April (10–23 April) produced more honey than those hived in early May (5–13 May) in only 2 years. The major nectar flows ranged from 22 June to 22 August.

The rate of brood rearing as determined by egg-laying of queens and the build-up as shown by adult bee populations at various periods after hiving increased progressively with delay in hiving dates which ranged from 4 April to 3 May, and were attributed to the more favorable climate of the later hivings. Adult bees in excess of 1 kg per package did not increase egg-laying of queens or the build-up of colonies.

Restriction of daylength by 6 hours per day for 8–9 weeks had no effect on colony brood rearing or build-up. Restriction of daylength to 6.5 hours per day for 7 weeks caused a small initial reduction in egg-laying in the first brood cycle (1.5 weeks after hiving) but no differences were noted later, either in egg-laying at 4.5 weeks or adult populations at 9.5 weeks. When colonies were in complete darkness for 3 weeks, egg-laying was reduced 35 to 60%.