Hi Mark,You're off to a good start and have all the right ideas. The main
basic thing you'll find out thru experience as time goes on if you keep
pursueing the pot of golden necter at the end of the rainbow
is,-----------do not jump the gun or you lose,timing is everything. Be a
good scout,"Be Prepared". Try to find a local beekeeper in your
area,though there are a few exceptions most of them will give advise
freely. If you have the time to keep bees,allow a little more and offer
some of it in exchange for schooling in stings and necter. If you are
only planning on a couple of hives try ,forget buying an embeder,too
costly plus unless you have the time it eats it up using one.The plastic
foundation that Steve recomends would probably sufice. Using the
foundation you have now without embeding it will only create a major mess
Hope this helps,God bless.
 
Take Care and GBY,John in Homestead,also at<[log in to unmask]>
 
--------- Begin forwarded message ----------
From: Marc Sevigny <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: novice questions
Date: Thu, 3 Apr 1997 09:14:20 -0500
Message-ID: <[log in to unmask]>
 
I'm relatively new to the list.
 
I constructed two deeps and 20 frames in anticipation for the arrival of
my
first shipment next week.  I've been doing some reading, but I couldn't
find
answers to some of my basic questions.
 
I live in Central Massachusetts.  The weather here is still wintery
(below
freezing at night, cool during the day (50F on average).
 
Is introducing the bees to the hive typically done so early in the season
(we
still have a deep snowpack, although that is not typical)?
 
1. The books that I borrowed suggested introducing the bees in the
evening.  I
assume that means in the daylight before dusk, is that right?
 
2. When I get the bees and feed them, do I try to keep them warm?  Is
there
stress introduced by bringing them from warm conditions outside into the
cold?
 How is this potential stress minimized?
 
3. From what I read, they suggest hiving the bees as soon as possible.
Should
weather be a factor in making this decision?  I can hive them the day
they
arrive, but is it better to wait for the next day or two if the weather
will
be warmer or dryer?
 
4. Any good ideas for embedding the wax foundations into the wire?  I
don't
have an electric gizmo, and dont have an embedding wheel.  What
do-it-yourself
methods are practical from things found around a typical house?
 
That's it for now.  I'm excited and looking forward to this list's
advice.
 
Marc Sevigny
Harvard, Mass
 
--------- End forwarded message ----------