THE HIVE TO ADOPT. 



The keeping of bees in common boxes is not permitted under the 

 Apiaries Act. The method was a most wasteful one, with the 

 accompanying system of sulphuring the bees at the end of the season 

 for the little honey obtainable. The practice was also dangerous, 

 because the combs could not be readily removed and examined for 

 disease. 



The Langstroth Hive. 



The Department, in giving advice in this matter, and selecting a 

 particular hive for recommendation — the original Langstroth hive with 

 modifications — does so for two distinct reasons : firstly, because the 

 hive is generally considered to be the best of those now in use ; and, 

 secondly, because it is in general use in every part of New Zealand. 

 The latter reason alone should be a very important one to beginners, 

 as it enables the manufacturers to supply them cheaper on account 

 of having to keep only one kind in stock, and, being of one standard 

 pattern, they are changeable and saleable all over the Dominion. 



Fig. I. — The Dovetailed Langstroth Hive. 



In 1851 the Rev. L. L. Langstroth perfected the hive which 

 now bears his name, and gave it to the world. It is astonishing 

 when we realize how perfect the principle must have been when 

 it left his hands, for, notwithstanding the many attempts since 

 made to improve upon it, the Langstroth hive remains to-day 

 not only the same, but the foremost in use and popularity among 

 the most experienced apiarists in the world. We rarely hear at 

 the present time of such hives as the Quinby, Adair, American, 

 and Gallup, yet these were favoured at various times ; they have 

 gone, and the Langstroth remains. 



The Dovetailed Langstroth Hive. 



A hive that is now finding much favour in New Zealand is 

 the dovetailed hive. The inside dimensions are the same as those 

 of the Langstroth, and carry the same frames. (See Fig. i.) 



Whether the beekeeper is working on a small or a large scale he 

 should aim at uniformity, and, in building up an apiary, decide at the 

 beginning on the style of hive and frame he is going to use, and 



