284 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



opposed to any attempt to dislodge them from their 

 previous habitations. The process, as it has been ordi- 

 narily conducted, has resulted in the wanton sacrifice of 

 thousands of stocks. 



Dr. Kirtland thus speaks of the results of transferring 

 some of his colonies to the movable-comb hives : "I had 

 three stocks transferred to an equal number of Mr. 

 Langstroth's hives. The first had not swarmed in two 

 years, and had long ceased to manifest any industry ; the 

 others had never swarmed. All the hives were filled with 

 black and filthy comb, candied honey, concrete bee-bread, 

 and an accumulation of the cocoons and larvae of the 

 moth. Within twenty-four hours, each colony became 

 reconciled to its new tenement, and began to labor with 



far greater activity than any of my old stocks I 



have now no stronger colonies than these, which I consi- 

 dered of little value till my acquaintance with this new 

 hive." Ohio Farmer , Dec. 12, 1857. 



