Two things:

Hand held torches can be great for starting fires to burn off weeds.  It
is used for many crops where the crop roots are deep.  In North
Carolina, a friend commercially growing Peony cut flowers burns the
fields every year.  For a cheaper source for a torch (and a lot of other
hardware), I use:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=91037

On the crop flowering in 18 days, I don't think the text supports.  What
is said is that the beekeepers had been without the asses for 18 days.
They may have been planning on moving the bees the next day or the next
week but their transportation had been held hostage for 18 days.  Ever
had a truck break down and need an ambiguous little part that is back
ordered?  I think we have all experienced delays and will agree that
Murphy was an optimist!

Murphy's law: If any thing can go wrong, it will go wrong, at the worst
possible moment!

May your extractor hold up through the last load and only show need for
work during cleanup!

Raymond J. Lackey  -  Sweet Pines Apiary
Phone:(631)567-1936  FAX:(631)262-8053  Cell: 631-707-1544
mail: 1260 Walnut Avenue, Bohemia, NY 11716-2176
web page: http://www.tianca.com/tianca2.html
email home: [log in to unmask]

****************************************************
* General Information About BEE-L is available at: *
* http://www.honeybeeworld.com/bee-l/default.htm   *
****************************************************