APPENDIX. 



At tbe time of writing the chaptDr on Hives lu this work, I reaUy supposed that 

 ao important improvemont had over boon made over the aimple box for a bee- 

 hive — an improvoment that, on tbe wAoIe, was an advantage — that did not destroy 

 in one part all that was gained in another. 



I Gontiuued to use the one described on pages 46, 47, and 48, with much satisfac- 

 tiou ; but very few, perhaps not any ono, kept bees with more profit than myself; 

 because, when I had obtained fifty pounds of surplus honey from a swarm, I was 

 not necessitated to take the whole to pay for the hive. Through the papers, I chal- 

 lenged the patent venders to produce better results with any of their hives : not by 

 interested statements of isolated cases, but by a simple, fair test, where everything 

 would be equal by the side of mine. After a trial Df two years, if their hive proved 

 superior to mine, to the amount of only twenty-flvo cents "per hive, I was to pay a 

 handsome premium ; besides, I promised tO inake this superiority public, which would 

 probably have been the greater advantage. I did not really expect any pne to fur- 

 nish a hive, not because there was anything unCair in my offer, asking more than I 

 was willing to give, but because I did not expect any of them were willing to risk 

 the result contrasted, notwithstanding all their boasting. Yet, unexpectedly, I 

 think I have found a hive suporioi', in many respects, to the simple box. It is not 

 pretended that a swarm of bees located in it will store a greater amount of honey 

 ui a given time, but the advantages are in the control of their operations, and ftnow- 

 ing Oieir condition at aU times. 



A friend of mine, on ascertaining that I did not allow pr^udice to operate against 

 my own interest knowingly, even in a bee-hive — that I would not riyect an advan- 

 tage because it was 'oiicd in a patent, but was willing to profit by whatever could 

 be made profitable — sent me a copy of the Bev. Ij. L. Langstroth's work on the 

 " Hive and Honey-Bee," early in 1856. I had heard of the work previously, hut 

 had understood that it recommended a patent hive, and not haying reason to 

 esteem them very highly, I took no pains to procure the work. I found, on a 

 perusal, that he agreed with me on so many disputed points in Natural History and 

 practical lessons, that had it not appeared simultaneously with the "Mysteries," 

 thus making it impossible for him to have taken any part from it, I should perhaps 

 have judged him wrongfully, and very likely he would have done the same by me. 

 It was evident, therefore, that both of us had arrived at correct conclusions by the 

 same process — close observation. This gave me a favorably impression. I found, 

 also, that his hive, for a wonder (being a patent), did not necessarily interfere with 

 the natural habits of the bees. It is very desirable, on some occasions, to get at the 

 interior of a bee-hive, which seemed feasible with his movable frames. And I 

 further saw that I could make just such a hive as I was using with the, advantage 

 of taking out and returning the combs, if I chose ; therefore, after waiting soma 

 months without an answer to a letter addressed to Mr. L., I ventured to construct 

 some half-dozen hives on this principle, and transferred the bees and combs from 

 the same number of common hives into them. The greaj«st advantage that I then 

 anticipated was the prevention of second swarms, in which I succeeded without any 

 difficulty. Without knowing what I had done, Mr; Langstroth, near the end of the 

 season, brought me a sample of his hive, requesting a trial, and a reportof- the 

 result when fully satisfied, which I readily promised to do. ITie shape, as he had 

 it, did not suit me, but the principle of the frames, rightly managed, I judged might 

 be made profitable — the advantages ought to be enough to balance the extra ex- 

 pense of oanstruction. Having had a few lessons in bee-hives, when my expecta 

 tions were not altogether realized, I determined, notwithstanding it appeared like an 

 Improvement, to test this thoroughry before recommending it. Accordingly, in the 

 summer of 1857, 1 put bees into nearly one hundred of these hives. Although sev- 

 eral made their combs somewhat crooked, they could be taken out of all but one. 

 Thai season proved a very poor one for honey, and the greater part <Jf the swarms 

 had too little stores for winter, and, to prevent a worse evil, were doomed to the 

 brimstone pit. All the combs in these frames were saved, as so much work 

 accomplished for another year. Such as contained enough honey to make it worth 

 the trouble were given to the light colonies, a number of which were by this 

 means enabled to pass the winter safely. For (/m season (1S5S), these frames 

 with dry combs were used, with empty ones, in most of the hives for new swarms. 

 Two or three frames only, containing combs, were put in a hive, as an occasional 

 guide between the empty ones. In this way I have secured all straight combs, 

 which is very important, as most of the voAue of the movable frames depends on 

 their being straight enough at last to be lifted outr— a difficulty more common this 



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