Allen wrote:
> Small operators can feed in-hive whereas large operators have the equipment to move large containers(barrels) of syrup into a beeyard. 

In my experience, I have seen a lot of feeding methods. I worked for Shannon Wooten of Redding CA, in 1982. He had thousands of hives and each had a plastic feeder in the second story. He used a pressurized syrup tank and we fed them with a hose like they have on gasoline pumps. One guy would slide the covers over just enough to expose the feeder and another guy would fill the feeders. 

Here in NY a large scale beekeeper I know feeds with 3 gallon buckets inverted over the cover. He has a permanent hole in every single cover which is plugged with a piece of plastic when not in use. Filling the buckets takes place back at the warehouse, and they can be placed on the hives very quickly, in any kind of weather. He also barrel feeds, presumably when there isn't enough time to do it with the buckets. 

Personally, I would never suggest or recommend barrel feeding. I think the colonies tend to benefit unevenly from such a plan. If there are very light colonies in the yard they should be dealt with. Also, why waste syrup on the heavy ones? If the purpose is to stimulate them, I still think the benefit of feeding directly outweighs the extra effort. In life, some things are worth doing well.

PLB

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