36 BEE CULTURE. 
THE LANGSTROTH HIVE. 
Though movable-frame hives were in use in Europe, in 
rude form, as early as 1795, they were not at all practical 
until the illustrious German, Dzierzon, invented a hive, in 
1848, and our own distinguished and honored Langstroth, in 
“ 1852, presented the world with one that has, with his 
system of management, completely revolutionized bee-keeping 
everywhere, making it a practical science. 
The patent which was issued to the Rev. L. L. Langstroth 
in 1852 expired in 1873, and there is now no patent either on 
his hive or frame. 
With the movable-frame hive, all the combs can be taken 
out and replaced, or exchanged with other hives at. will, 
without the least detriment to the bees. The combs having 
a surplus of honey can be emptied with the Extractor, with- 
Fig. 12.— Langstroth Hive. 
out injury, and returned to the hive to be refilled,—thus 
saving labor for the bees in making new combs, and honey 
for their keeper. 
The Queen can be found, examined, and, when necessary, 
can be replaced by one more prolific, or one in some other 
way more desirable; and artificial colonies can be made at 
will, as we shall see hereafter. If a colony be weak, it can 
be strengthened by giving it a frame or two of brood from 
some other hive. In fact, the movable frame makes the 
bee-keeper “ the master of the situation.” 
