In a message dated 97-04-08 15:54:49 EDT, you write:
 
<< I am planning on just
 sitting a bucket of syrup on the inner cover with a super and top cover
 over it.  I plan to put some sticks or something in the bucket for the
 bees to land on.  >>
 Put a good hand full of straw or hay in the bucket it won't take much room
and you will drown far less bees that way.
  Also start with half a bucket of syrup and check it in a couple days to see
how the bees are doing. If you put the syrup on warmed up to about 90 degrees
the bees start to take it down pretty fast.
Happy Beekeeping