The thread on successful beekeeping talks about feeding syrup which I
do and agree with.  The difference between large and small operations
is the method.  Small operators can feed
in-hive whereas large operators have the equipment to move large
containers(barrels) of syrup into a beeyard.  At a local association
that I attend, a member who has several hundred colonies makes a
presentation often, about his barrel feeding techniques.  The
majority of members of this association have less than 10 colonies,
many with 1-2.  Thinking of 600 pound barrels for these people is out
of the question, not because they are poor beekeepers, but because of
the impracticability of the idea.  Dave Mendes spoke to us recently,
at the Ontario Beekeepers' Association Annual meeting, about his
15-20 thousand colony operation in Florida.  He didn't mention using
barrels but 3.5 gallon pails instead.  He uses feeding stations made
up 20 or so of these pails inverted near his holding yards of 200
colonies.  The bees take the syrup, which leaks into the rim of the
lid through removable tabs.  This idea is obviously  convertible to
any size of operation.

Bob Darrell
Caledon Ontario
Canada
44N80W

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