SUPERS.
The main points of difference between the various types of comb-honey supers are in (1) the method of supporting the sections, (2) the amount of protection afforded to the outside of the section and (3) the degree of free communication from section to section within the super.
Sections are supported either by means of cross supports under the ends of the sections or by a slat of proper width supporting each row of sections. The T super ([fig. 7]), so called from the shape of a cross section of the strip of tin used to support the sections is illustrative of the first, while the supporting slats, section holders (figs. [8], [9] and [10]), and wide frames ([fig. 11]) are illustrative of the second type of support.
Fig. 7.—The T super. (Original.)
The T super and others of this type offer no protection against propolizing to either the top or bottom of the sections, the section holder or slat (figs. [8], [9] and [10]) protects the bottom, while in the wide frame ([fig. 11]) the entire outer surface of the sections is protected except at the edges. The greater the protection afforded the section, the more complicated and expensive the super, and the more complicated supers require more labor in cleaning of propolis and filling with sections. On the other hand, sections of honey produced in properly constructed wide-frame supers are much more easily cleaned of propolis, and ordinarily present a neater appearance when packed for market.