My bees produced 200 lbs of locust/poplar and 200 lbs of sourwood honey
last year in Western NC. I sold every drop of it(except small gifts). It
was interesting that one customer always took dark honey until I gave
him a small jar of sourwood. His wife raved about how good it was and
they had to have more. One customer would have nothing but sourwood. I
gave my barber a small jar of dark honey for Christmas. When his wife
opened it, she told him that it was "REAL HONEY", and he bought my last
quart today.
 
It has been warm for a few days and the bees are really working. Pollan
is being brought in in large amounts and a variety of colors from yukky
green to several shades of yellow/orange. The spring build up is on.
 
I have two hives of extremely calm bees. They are from swarms I captured
in April 95 from my stump. The original swarm was bought in 93 I think.
I would like to have new queens bred from one of them. Is there anyone
in Eastern NC, VA that raises queens that would take one of them and
raise queens from them. Each of the hives with these queens were weak
going into last season but built up well, were moved to the mountains
and made 200 lbs of honey. I believe they are of good stock.
 
Thank you,
Don