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. 



