APPENDIX. 
At the time of writing the chapter on Hives in this work. T really supposed that 
no important improvement had ever bcc'h made over the simple box for a bee- 
hive— an improvement that, on the whole , was an advantage — that did not destroy 
in one part all that was gained in another. 
I continued to use the one described on pages 4G, 47, and 48, with much satisfac- 
tion ; but very few, perhaps not any one, kept bees with more profit than myself; 
because, when I had obtained fifty pounds of surplus honey from a swarm, I was 
not necessitated to take the whole to pay for the hive. Through the papers, 1 chal- 
lenged the patent vendors to produce better results with any of their hives : not by 
interested statements of isolated cases, but by a simple, fair test, where everything 
would be equal by the side of mine. Atyor a trial of two years, if their hive proved 
superior to mine, to the amount of only twenty-five cents per hive, I was to pay a 
handsome premium; besides, I promised to make this superiority public, which would 
probably have been the greater advantage. I did not really expect any one to fur- 
nish a hive, not because there was anything uulair iu my offer, asking more than I 
was willing to give, but because I did not expect any of them were willing to risk 
tho result contrasted, notwithstanding all their boasting. Yet, unexpectedly, I 
think I have found a hive superior, in many respects, to tho simple box. It is not 
pretended that a swarm of bees located in it will store a greater amount of honey 
in a giveu time, but tho advantages are in tho control of their operations, and lenow- 
ing their condition at all limes. 
A friend of mine, on ascertaining that I did not allow prejudice to operate against 
my own interest knowingly, even in a bee-hive— that 1 would not reject an advan- 
tage because it was found :n a patent, but was willing to profit by whatever could 
bo made profitable — sent mo a copy of tho Rev. L. L. l.angstroth’s work on the 
“ IIivo and Iloney-Heo,” early in 1856. I had hoard of the work previously, but 
bail understood that it recommended a patent hive, and not having reason to 
esteem them very highly, I took no pains to procure tho work. I found, on a 
porn sal, that he agreed with me on so many disputed points in Natural History and 
practical lessons, that had it not appeared simultaneously with the “ Mysteries,” 
thus making it impossible for him to have taken any part from it, I should perhaps 
have judged him wrongfully, and very likely he would have done the same by me. 
It was evident, therefore, that both of us had arrived at correct conclusions by tho 
same process— close observation. This gave me a favorable impression. I found, 
also, that his hive, for a wonder (being a patent), did not necessarily interfere with 
the natural habits of the bees. It is very desirable, on some occasions, to get at tho 
interior of a bee hive, which seemed feasible with his movable frames. And I 
farther saw that 1 could make just such a hive as I was using with tho advantage 
of taking out and returning the combs, if I chose ; therefore, after waiting somo 
months without an answer to a letter addressed to Mr. L., I ventured to construct 
somo half-dozen hives on this principle, and transferred tho bees and combs from 
the same number of common hives into them. The greatest advanfcige that 1 then 
anticipated was the prevention of second swarms, in which I succeeded without any 
difficulty. Without knowing what I had done, Mr. Laugstroth, near tho cud of tho 
season, brought mo a sample of his hive, requesting a trial, and a report of tho 
result when fully satisfied, which I readily promised to do. Tho shape, as be bad 
it, did not suit me, but the principle of the frames, rightly managed, I judged might 
bo made profitable— the advantages ought to be enough to balance tho extra ex- 
pense of construction. Having had a few lessons in bee-hives, when my expecta 
tions wore not altogether realized. I determined, notwithstanding it appeartxl like an 
Improvement, to test this thoroughly before recommending it. Accordingly, In tlio 
summer of 1857, 1 put bees into nearly one hundred of these hives. Although sev- 
eral made their combs somewhat crooked, they could bo taken out of all but one. 
That season proved a very poor ouo for honey, aud tho greater part of tho swarms 
had too little stores for winter, and, to prevent a worse evil, wore doomod to the 
brimstone pit. All tho combs in these frnines were saved, ns so much work 
a ■complished for another year. Such as contained enough honey to make it worth 
the trouble were given to > tho light colonies, a number of which were by this 
means enabled to pass the winter safely. For this season (1S5S), these frames 
with dry combs wore used, with empty ones, in most of the hives for new swarms. 
Two or three frames only, containing combs, wero put iu a hive, as an occasional 
guide between the empty ones. In this way I have secured all straight combs, 
which is very important; as most of the value of tho movable frames depends on 
their being straight enough at last to bo lifted out — a difficulty moro common this 
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