BEES. 9 
HIVES. 
It is not the purpose of this bulletin to advocate the use of any 
particular make of hive or other apparatus. Some general state- 
ments may be made, however, which may help the beginner in his 
choice. 
The type of hive most generally used in this country (fig. 2) was 
invented by Langstroth in 1851. It consists of a plain wooden box 
holding frames hung from a 
rabbet at the top and not 
touching the sides, top, or 
bottom. Hives of this type 
are made to hold from eight —_—==_—— 
frames upward. The size of 
frame in general use, known 
as the Langstroth (or L) 
frame (91 by 172 inches), 
is more widely used than all 
others combined. The num- 
ber of frames used depends 
on the kind of honey pro- 
duced (whether comb or ex- 
tracted), and on the length 
of honey flow and other local 
factors. There are other 
hives used which have points 
of superiority. These will be 
found discussed in the vari- 
ous books on bee keeping and 
in the catalogues of dealers 
in bee keepers’ supplies. 
Whatever hive is chosen, 
there are certain points of 
importance which should be 
insisted on. The material 
should be of the best; the 
parts must be accurately 
made, so that all frames or 
hives in the aplary are inter- Fig. 2.—A ten-frame hive with comb-honey super and 
changeable. Allhives should ES Soe gio ea 
be of the same style and size; they should be as simple as it is pos- 
sible to make them to facilitate operation. Simple frames diminish 
the amount of propolis, which will interfere with manipulation. As 
a rule, it is better to buy hives and frames from a manufacturer of 
such goods rather than to try to make them, unless one is a good 
wood worker. 
36827—Bull. 397—10 
Sy 
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