BEEKEEPING FOR CONNECTICUT. 427 



the text books or pamphlets listed in the back of this bulletin will 

 be found helpful. 



The hives and accessories illustrated and described in the fol- 

 lowing pages are such as have been tested by practical beekeepers 

 and can be recommended to the beginner. 



He must remember, however, that beekeeping is nb "get -rich- 

 quick" scheme. To succeed and to secure a cropof honey requires 

 work, and work at the right time. A little delay at such times 

 may spell failure. Poor seasons intervene when colonies will have 

 to be fed to take them through the winter and it may need a good 

 deal of enthusiasm on the part of the beekeeper to keep up his 

 courage. These seasons, however, do not occur very often and 

 the practical beekeeper knows that he must make the best of them. 



Hives. 



Before starting beekeeping it is well to decide on the style of 

 hives to be used and some other necessary equipment. The bees 

 are as co'ntented in an old box or tub as in the best modem hive, 

 but for economical productipn of honey a carefully made hive is 

 essential. Below are described two of the most popular kinds. 



THE STANDARD OR LANGSTROTH HIVE. 



This ife the regular standard hive used by nearly all practical 

 beekeepers and shown in figure 6. A more thorough description 

 is given in supply catalogs. The hive consists of a bottom board, 

 the brood chamber or living quarters, which is a box containing 

 either eight or ten movable frames, and a cover. This hive, less a 

 few minor improvements, was invented in 185 1 by the Rev. L. L. 

 Langstroth and is sometimes caUed the Langstroth hive. It was 

 his knowledge of the peculiarities of the bee that enabled him to 

 invent a hive that revolutionized beekeeping. All other movable 

 frame hives are but modifications of this, though some of them are 

 but poor substitutes. 



It is usually better for the beekeeper to buy his hives in the 

 flat, nailing' them together himself, rather than to try to make 

 them, especially if he values his time at anything. Factory-made 

 hives are made with great accuracy. 



This- hive being adopted as the standard, 'it is very reasonable 

 to suppose that it combines within itself more, good qualities than 

 any other and should therefore have the preference. 



