At 08:04 15/2/1997 -0800, you wrote: >On Fri, 14 Feb 1997, Albert W Needham wrote: > >> On Fri, 14 Feb 1997 11:32:34 -0500 Daniel G Jones <[log in to unmask]> writes: >> >> > I just called W. Kelly and they are already booked >> > till mid May. I have been told that I need to get the bees >> > in the hives in mid April. >> > >> > Is there any place else I should try? >> >> Dan: >> >> A suggestion - Do you know any beekeepers in your area, or do you belong >> to a local Bee Club/Association? >> >> The reason I ask is that in my local Club are some Commercial Beekeepers. >> One of them drives down to Georgia every year and gets a truckload for which >> he has previously contracted ($13,000 worth) for package bees. >> >> Since he doesn't need a whole truckload for himself, he passes the word >> and even advertises in a local Farm publication to see who may want some >> packages. >> He sells the difference between what he needs and the truckload he has >> contracted for to small beekeepers - mostly hobbyists. This cuts his >> costs down and it's a good deal for the smaller guys in terms of avoiding the >> problems that may arise obtaining packages thru the mail. The bees also spend less >> time in transit. > >Hi Al and Dan, Getting the bees thru a beekeeper should be much better >than the mail.I have done it both ways and bees are in better shape and >less dead ones on the bottem of the box when someone hauls them up in a >truck. > If I was on the east coast , I could fix you up.I have about 100 extra >packages I'm brining up to Washington. Some of the thanks has to go to the >people on the Bee-L. After Varroa knocking down 50 hives in 95 and >starting over in 96. It looks like I lost one , do to eating up all the >stores. My hives have to be split, so it will be 100 that I need and not >200. I,m not building any more frames and boxs. > When I pick up the bees in California ,they are ready for me at 6:00 AM. >The evening before the package people put the bees and queen in the boxs. >So in the morning , I just load up and I'm out of ther in under an hour.It >takes 12 hours to get get home. I park the truck in the garrage that is >dark and cool.Then I get about 6 hours of sleep. I have a friend that goes >down with me now to help drive.That makes it much better.His name is Joe >Mcmanus and is a cousin to Patrick Mcmanus the writer.Joe has the same >hummer and we have a great trip.( they even look alike) > I hope you get your bees Dan. Al has the right idea. > Best Regards > Roy > > (\ (\ (\ {|||8- {|||8- {|||8- David Warr (/ (/ (/