Hello Bill & All,

> do you insert the internal feeder in the top box to replace one
>frame - in the middle, or off to the side?  I'm guessing in the middle.

In the middle would split the brood nest although the middle above the brood 
nest is the best place to feed bees.

The inside feeder is the standard for the U.S. commercial migratory
beekeeper. On a pallet of four hives the feeders replace the frame in the
top box closest to the center of the pallet(on each of the four boxes). To
feed the beekeeper simply slips about three inches the *migratory* lids
towards  the outside of the pallet side exposing the inside feeder. Once the
feed is pumped (hose from syrup tank on feed truck)  the lids are slid back
with the beekeepers leg.
A crew of two beekeepers can feed a couple thousand hives in a day in a
California holding yard using the feeders. Makes for a very long day. I use
a "Ball valve" instead of a gasoline fuel type lever nozzle (which I used 
for
years) as so hard on fingers . One beekeeper slides the lids (and smokes the
hives if needed) and helps drag the hose. ( I have used 1 inch ag line and
have used a length of hose 200 feet long but today only used a 5/8th hose
100 foot long because of the lighter weight).

Although  the most preferred method for commercial migratory beekeepers in 
my
opinion not the best way to feed. Over a hole in the center of the hive body
I like better using glass jugs so the amount of feed being taken can be seen
at a glance. The over the center method is used by many non migratory when
on winter holding yards in home states ( and some use feeder buckets up to 5
gallon size) but on the road most use the inside feeders.

The ease of the inside feeders is hard to beat although not the best way to
feed in cold weather.

I have been in many discussions about which method is best but the different
views basically end up migratory use inside feeders for ease of feeding
while on the road and the stationary beekeepers prefer the top hole method.

>Also, good luck with your changing business strategy and hope you fell
>better soon!

Thanks Bill! The list knows about my several hernia  and rotator cuff
surgeries from years of heavy lifting but the current issues involve my
heart (two leaking heart valves). I expect (under pressure from my family
and my doctors) i will get valve work done or a couple *pig* valves
installed this fall ( after all the bee and farm work is completed of
course!) Oink! oink!

Sincerely,
Bob Harrison
Missouri

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