10 BEES. 
Langstroth (or L) frame (9% by 173% inches), is more widely used 
than all others combined. One of the best features in hive manu- 
facture developed by Langstroth is the making of the spaces be- 
tween frames, side walls, and supers accurately, so that there is 
just room for the easy passage of bees. In a space of this size 
(called a ‘‘bee space”) bees rarely build comb or deposit propolis. 
The number of frames used 
depends on the kind of honey 
produced (whether comb or 
extracted) 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 va- 
rious books on beekeeping 
and in the catalogues of deal- 
ers in bee keepers’ supplies. 
Whatever hive is chosen, 
there are certain important 
points which should be in- 
sisted on. The material 
should be of the best; the 
parts must be accurately 
made, so that all frames or 
hives in the apiary are inter- 
changeable. Allhivesshould 
be of the same style and size; 
they should be as simple as 
it is possible to make them, 
to facilitate operation. Sim- 
ple frames diminish the 
amount of propolis, which 
will interfere with manipu- 
lation. As a rule, it is bet- 
ter to buy hives and frames 
Fig. 2.—A 10-frame hive with comb-honey super and from a manufacturer of such 
perforated zinc queen excluder. 
goods rather than to try to 
make them, unless one is an expert woodworker. 
The choice of a hive, while important, is usually given undue 
prominence in books on bees. In actual practice experienced bee 
keepers with different sizes and makes of hives under similar condi- 
tions do not find as much difference in their honey crop as one would 
be led to believe from the various published accounts. 
447 
