>  From what I've
>read, you get a bumper crop with 3 deeps without an excluder.


I don't use excluders. Rather, I super, reverse on Dandelion, and 
super, super, super. Bumper crops are made not just because of using 
3 deeps. Using 3 deeps with a punky queen will never lead to bumper 
crops. Also, if the flow isn't there, you'll never get a bumper crop. 
It all comes down to the same thing as keeping bees in 2 deeps...1/3 
management, 1/3 genetics, and 1/3 location. All must be good to 
produce your bumper crop.

>  And
>they say that, if you engage in frame checkerboarding, there is very
>little swarming.  Even with older queens.

Don't know about checkerboarding. Never did it, probably never will. 
Good management, and proper supering will solve most of your swarming problems.
Mike  

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