Apparatus 23 
to catalogues of supplies which manufacturers are quite 
willing to furnish. 
It would be interesting to trace the evolution of the various 
implements used in beekeeping, but this is beyond the scope 
of this book. For certain appliances, discussed in later 
chapters, such a method of treatment has seemed desirable 
and, in fact, to discuss all of the present apparatus in that 
manner would make the reasons for their construction 
clearer. There should some day be prepared a book on 
the evolution of hives and the beekeeper’s equipment, if 
for no other purpose than to show the ardent inventor, 
who is usually a beginner, the steps that have already been 
taken and passed by and to prevent the repeated re-dis- 
covery of abandoned apparatus. In recent times, the 
industry is relatively free from the exploitation of worth¬ 
less apparatus but, at about the time of the invention of 
the Langstroth hive, the beekeeping industry was well- 
nigh buried in bizarre hives. The industry has not ceased 
to advance, but beekeepers have outgrown the belief that 
success depends on tools. The recognized essentials of 
beekeeping are knowledge of the bees, skill in manipula¬ 
tion and simplicity in apparatus. 
The supplies of the beekeeper have few prerequisites. 
They must be simple in construction, strongly built and, 
above all, interchangeable throughout. The manufacturers 
of beekeeping supplies in the United States have done much 
to simplify the equipment. The best materials are usually 
employed. 
Apiary house. 
In the main or home apiary, it is desirable to have a work¬ 
shop, usually known by beekeepers as the “honey-house,” 
where supplies may be prepared and the crop cared for and 
perhaps stored for a time. This house should be below the 
bees if the ground slopes (p. 292). It is perhaps needless 
to give plans for an apiary house since the experienced bee¬ 
keeper will easily construct one that fits his individual needs 
