iv BIOGRAPHY OF L. L. LANGSTROTH. 
The only literary knowledge which he then had of bee-culture 
was gleaned from the Latin writings of Virgil, and from a 
modern writer, ‘‘ who was somewhat skeptical as to the exist- 
ence of a queen-bee.”’ 
In 1839, Mr. Langstroth removed to Greenfield, Massachu- 
setts. His health was much impaired, and he had resigned 
his pastorate. Increasing very gradually the number of his 
colonies, he sought information on all sides. The ‘‘ Let- 
ters of Huber’’ and the work of Dr. Bevan on the honey 
bee (London, 1838), fell into his hands and gave him an 
introduction to the vast literature of bee-keeping. 
In 1848, having removed to Philadelphia, Mr. Langstroth, 
with the help of his wife, began to experiment with hives of 
different forms, but made no special improvements in them 
until 1851, when he devised the movable frame hive, used at 
the present day in preference to all others. This is re- 
corded in his journal, under the date of October 30, 1851, 
with the following remarks: ‘‘ The use of these frames will, 
I am persuaded, give a new impetus to the easy and profit- 
able management of bees.’’ 
This invention, which gave him perfect control over all 
the combs of the hive, enabled him afterwards to make 
many remarks and incidental discoveries, the most of which 
he recorded in his book, on the habits and the natural his- 
tory of the honey-bee. The first edition of the work was 
published in 1852, and in its preparation he was greatly 
assisted by his accomplished wife. A revised edition was 
published in 1857, another in 1859, and large editions, 
without further revisions, have since been published. 
In January, 1852, Mr. Langstroth applied for a patent on 
his invention. This was granted him; but he was deprived 
of all the profits of this valuable discovery, by infringe- 
ments and subsequent law-suits, which impoverished him 
and gave him trouble for years; though no doubt remains 
now in the mind of any one, as to the originality and prior- 
ity of his discoveries. 
