15 



Gallup, yet these were favoured largely in America at various times ; they 

 have gone, and the Langstroth remains. Even the famous 6. M. Doo- 

 little, the great American authority on bee-culture and the erstwhile 

 champion of the Gallup hive and frame, has come round to the Lang- 

 stroth. I have before me an extract from a letter received recently by 

 an Auckland resident from Mr. Doolittle in reply to one sent him asking 

 his opinion as to the best hive. He says, — 



I do not now use the hive I described in my little book " The Hive I 

 use " to the extent I did, as I find the Langstroth hive does nearly as well 

 with less labour, and we have only the 1 lb. sections now, the larger (2Jlb.) 

 not finding a ready sale. I judge the Langstroth hive is as good as any 

 for New Zealand. 



It is evident that Mr. Doolittle feels a pang in giving up his old love, 

 and though he reluctantly does so, he admits the Langstroth is the best hive. 

 It is gratifying to me when I remember how persistently I have advocated 

 in the past this hive against all comers. 



It is the misfortune of many beginners to believe, before they even under- 

 stand properly the rudiments of bee-culture, that they can improve upon the 

 Langstroth hive, and then and there start out to modify it in some shape 

 or form, only to regret it when experience has convinced them of their 

 mistake and loss. I have nothing to say against an experienced beekeeper 

 experimenting in any direction in which he may consider an improvement 

 possible — in fact, he should be commended for doing so — but having seen 

 so many mistakes made by beginners I feel it my duty to warn others 

 against falling into the same errors. 



MAKING HIVES. 



There is no reason why a person handy with tools, and with spare time 

 on his hands, should not make his own hives, but it must be understood 

 that they should be made very accurately. On the other hand, a person 

 may find it to his advantage to purchase all he requires from the manufac- 

 turers. In the former case one at least should be purchased, in order to have 

 an accurate pattern to work from. The internal fittings, such as frames 

 and sections, should certainly be procured from the manufacturers, as it 

 is well-nigh impossible to make these accurate enough without machinery. 



A very good plan when more than one hive is wanted is to get one made 

 up, and the rest in the flat, in parts ready to be nailed together, and so save 

 in cost of carriage. 



A CHEAP LANGSTEOTH FRAME-HIVE. 



(See Plate II.) 

 Though there may not be much gained in the long-run by making any 

 other than good substantial hives in the first place, especially by those who 



