THE EVOLUTION OF THE BEE-HIVE. 215 



with sulphur-smoke, to destroy the larvae, etc., of the bee moth, 

 and other enemies. 



56. It should permit the space for spare honey to be en- 

 larged or contracted at will, without any alteration or 

 destruction of the existing parts of the hive. 



The space for spare honey (super) of modern hives in no way 

 interferes with the brood chamber. Supers can be expanded or 

 contracted from a single row of one pound sections to one equal 

 to a full-sized hive. Sections as we now have them, were not 

 known till some years after the invention of the Langstroth hive. 



57. It should be so compact as to ecnomise, if possible, 

 every inch of material used in its construction. 



58. The hive, while presenting a neat appearance should 



admit, if desired, of being made highly ornamental. 



See "Bush-houses as Apiaries," page 179. 



59. It should enable an apiarian to lock up his hives in 

 some cheap and convenient way. 



This is for the purpose of preventing the honey from being 

 stolen; but I have known cases where thieves have taken honey, 

 bees and hive. 



60. It should allow the contents of the hive, bees, combs, 

 and all, to be taken out when it needs any repairs. 



Not only when it needs repairs, but everything in a Lang- 

 stroth hive being movable all the fittings should be occasionally 

 taken out, and the hive thoroughly cleansed, which is an accommo- 

 dation not to be met with in the old fashioned box, etc. 



61. A complete hive, while possessing all these requisites, 

 should if possible, combine them in a cheap and simple 

 form, adapted to the wants of all who are competent 

 to cultivate bees. 



In these sixty odd advantages, etc. of the bar-frame hive 

 over every other description of hive that has been in use since 

 the day that bees were first brought under the control of man, 

 Langstroth has not referred to his own particular style of hive, 

 or lauded it to the disadvantage of other bar-frames, but by uni- 

 versal consent, and its general adoption by the bee-keeping pub- 



