> Are 9 frames better than 10 in this regard ?

This is a question that has been asked just about every year here on
BEE-L.  As with many other questions, there is no right answer.  Even in
the same operation, in the same district, a specific spacing method may
work better for one purpose, but be less suited for another.  We used
both spacings for years, and never could see a clear advantage to one
over the other.

> My intuition tells me the bees would draw out the 9 frames deeper to
re-establish the bee space.

Well, bee space has its places.  Between comb faces, it may or may not
apply.  How thick the bees make -- and keep -- the combs depends on many
factors.

Humans have learned to use bee space to design hives that are neat, tidy
and easily disassembled by humans -- for human purposes -- but IMO, bees
do better when everything is glued up and waxed together.

allen
http://www.honeybeeworld.com

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