192 Frames Described, 



enough to recommend it. I fear the hives are too complex 

 for the general bee-keeper. I advise all to go slow in 

 adopting them, as we know the old, tried ones are excel- 

 lent. I fear that in the hands of the general bee-keepers 

 these new hives will not prove satisfactory. 



THE FRAMES. 



The fot'm and size of frames, though not quite as various as 

 the persons who use them, are still very different (Fig. 68). 

 Some prefer large frames. I first tried the Quinby frartie, 

 and afterward the Langstroth (Fig. 68). The advantage 

 claimed for large frames is that there are less to handle, 

 and time is saved; yet may not smaller frames be handled 

 so much more dexterously, especially if they are to be 

 handled through all the long day, as to compensate, in 

 part at least, for the number? The advantage of the 

 shallow frame is, as claimed, that the bees will go into 

 boxes more readily; yet they are not considered by some 

 bee-keepers as safe for out-door wintering. This is the 

 style recommended and used by Mr. Langstroth, which 

 fact may account for its popularity in the United States. 

 Another frame in common use, is one about one foot 

 square. I have long used one 1 1 1^ inches square, and 

 still think that this frame has much to commend it. It is 

 light, easily handled, convenient for nucleus hives, and 

 perhaps the best form for forming a compact winter 

 cluster; and yet upon mature reflection I have decided to 

 use in future for the most part the Langstroth frame and 

 advise all others to do so. 



It is very desirable to have bees in hives such as others 

 will wish in case we sell bees, as every bee-keeper is 

 almost sure to do more or less each year. The Langstroth 

 hive is used much more generally than' any other, and 

 that it is excellent is shown in the fact that most, of our 

 successful bee-keepers, from Canada to the Gulf, use it 

 and I am free to say that taking the whole country 

 through it is doubtful if a better style or form exists than 

 the regular Langstroth. The chief objection urged against 

 its use, that it is not the best form to secure safe winterino- 



