In a message dated 28/05/03 05:14:25 GMT Daylight Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< I realise that some beekeepers cannot envisage that the conventional tiered
 hive [National or Langstoth] can possibly be improved on - they should read
 no further.  The Long Deep hive does however offer help here [and in other
 ways]. All brood combs are deep, and at one level - so there is no upper
 brood box to lift off that would expose the centre of the nest to cold - all
 u have to do is lift off the single layer of honeyboxes. >>


Robin,

I think there is one way the Long Deep hive can be improved upon (must get
around to building one soon - trouble is all the measurements are metric and my
bees are Imperial).  The supers are not on the hive for most of the time.
Therefore the bees don't need the gaps between the frame tops.  The addition of a
thin strip of wood (vaselined against propolis) to seal each gap would enable
cool weather inspections of a few frames to be made without so much loss of
heat or disturbance to the bees.  There is plenty of bottom ventilation with
the open mesh floor.

One of the advantages of the TBH is that the TBs but.

Chris

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