132 Frame-Making. 



afterward the Langstroth (Fig. 46). The advantage claimed 

 fos 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 num- 

 ber? The advantage of the shallow frame is, as claimed, that 

 the bees will go into boxes more readily ; yet they are not con- 

 sidered so safe for out-door wintering. This is the style recom- 

 mended 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 11£ inches square, and think still that this 

 frame has much to commend it. It is light, easily han- 

 dled, 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 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 vear. The Lang- 

 stroth 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 coun- 

 try 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 wintering, lacks force in view of the fact that many 

 who have been most successful use this frame. Indeed 

 with thorough protection this frame is as good as any, 

 and most bee-keepers are learning that in our northern 

 states protection is absolutely essential to success. 



That we shall ever have a uniform frame used by all 

 apiarists, though exceedingly desirable, is too much 'to 

 be hoped. I do not think there is sufficient advantage 

 in any form to warrant us in holding to it, if by yielding 

 we could secure this uniformity. Nor do I think the 

 form and size so material as to make it generally desir- 

 able for the apiarist to change all his hives, to secure a 

 different style of frame. 



To make a Langstroth frame I would use a top-bar 



