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. Al ---- Al Needham--Scituate,MA,[log in to unmask] "The HoneyBee"--An Educational Program About Honey Bees With A Superb Slide Show-Version 2.0 (c) 1997 Download From: http://www.kuai.se/~beeman