The Worker 157 



Bee-hives are now so constructed that they can be 

 opened and their contents removed or changed about, and 

 examined without materially interfering with the actions of 

 the bees that frequently continue their labors even when 

 the comb is held in the hand of the bee-keeper. The 

 chief excellence of the modern hive is in the movable 

 frames, which are fitted with grooves, so that when the 

 hive is opened, the frames containing the comb can 

 easily be removed, the combs examined, changed in any 

 way the bee-keeper pleases, and returned quickly. The 

 movable frame hive, which has revolutionized bee-keeping, 

 was invented in 1852 by Lorenzo Lorrain Langstroth, who 

 is known as the '' father of American apiculture." 



Langstroth was born in Philadelphia in 1810, and from 

 childhood was deeply interested in studying insect life. 

 Later he devoted himself to the study of bees and to the 

 development of the industry of apiculture, having done 

 more than any one else in this country to give it the place 

 it now holds here. He is the author of " The Honey Bee," 

 one of the most interesting and best practical books on 

 bee-keeping. 



One of the great improvements in modern bee-keeping 

 is the use of smoke to calm the bees instead of killing 

 them. In the up-to-date apiaries a little instrument for 

 puffing smoke is used for this purpose ; and the astonished 

 tenants of the hive find not only the roof mysteriously, sud- 

 denly, and silently removed from their habitation, but a 

 stream of smoke pouring over their forms and stupefying 

 them into stingless acquiescence in the depredations or 

 changes made by some power from without. 



A shght smoking apphed to the bees when the hive is 

 opened, and before they have time to recover from their 

 surprise enough to use their stings, enables the skilful bee- 

 keeper to examine the combs, take them out and put them 



