Mike must have done quite well in Physics 101.

Having now read the BC article, I guess I'll buy into the idea that
condensation on the sides of the hives is enhanced by follower boards.
I'm leaning in this direction for a number of reasons.  Dave and Jerry
seemed to support the idea (if I follow their posts correctly), but I'm
leaning in this direction mostly due to the original reason I ever used
follower boards, which is comb honey production. _Honey_in_the_Comb_ by
Killion (I don't recall if it was Carl (I think so) or Eugene) strongly
recommends follower boards for comb honey production for improved
ventillation to help bees dry nectar.  Killion claims the space between
the hive walls and follower boards allow the bees to set up the
convective currents to evaporate moisture faster and more efficiently.
I have witnessed the bees fanning in the space created by the follower
boards.  Now, bees fanning in the summer is a lot different than bees
clustered in the winter, but I am willing to accept that the benefits
alluded to in the BC article can be achieved even though it is a passive
construct in the winter (no bees are fanning).

The is far from scientific proof, but I'd be at least inclined to accept
what the author claimed as a definite possibility.  I don't know as I'd
be willing to trek out to my hives and tear a few apart to see if it is
so.  Speculating is so much more fun, eh?

Aaron Morris

PS: I purchased my follower boards from Rossman Apiaries.  I sent Fred
the plans from Killion's book (actually Killion's plans make the boards
too short for Langstroth equipment, but I corrected that in the plans I
sent to Fred) and Fred whipped up a few hundred in no time at all.  He
even started offering them in his catalog for a few years, but dropped
them as the demand wasn't there.  But if anyone wants to purchased
follower boards, give Fred a call, tell 'im Aaron sent ya!

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