I had no idea that to get started as a beekeeping hobbyist, you can get just about everything you need via mail order. Indeed, according to the Newburyport Daily News, postal workers throughout Massachusetts and New Hampshire began delivering 3-pound packages, each containing: one queen bee and 12,000 drones and worker bees.
The story covers portable bee hives from the start, beginning in the 1850s with the invention of the first transportable beehive. And it goes on to talk about the vanishing bees, the history of the decline in populations and the recent Colony Collapse Disorder crisis.
Commercial beekeepers in 26 states report they have lost between 30 and 90 percent of their colonies between November and February. The story goes on to make the argument that hobbyist keepers are making a difference.
[Photo from John’s Beekeeping Notebook, which also has loads of beekeeping info and history.]
Virtual Farmgirl 
I have just written a brief article about ‘Colony Collapse Disorder’ which you might find of interest http://fishinsects.suite101.com/article.cfm/colony_collapse_disorder
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I have just written a brief article about ‘Colony Collapse Disorder’ which you might find of interest http://fishinsects.suite101.com/article.cfm/colony_collapse_disorder
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