THE WISCONI



is confessedly high authority on this subject,
(Appendix to "1 Mysteries of Bee-keeping Ex-
plained," page 381,) " There is not the least
doubt in my mind that whoever renlizes the
greatest possible benefits from his bees will
have to retain the movable combs in some form.
The principle-movable combs-can hardly be
dispensed with."
  To Mr. Langstroth belongs the praise of first
introducing to the American bee-keepers the
movable frame, or of rendering it of any prac-
tical utility to him; although to another (Hu-
ber) belongs the honor of its invention.
  But, like all pioneers, Mr. L. could not per-
fect everything as he went along. His method
of applying the principle, mentioned above by
Mr. Quinby, is open to numerous and grave
objections not applicable to the productions of
some later inventors. A perfect hive, adapted
to the latitude of the Northern States, must
possess, among others, the following features:
  1. It should be of suitable size, which, I
think, has been sufficiently shown to be about
the capacity of a bushel.
  2. It should approach nearly a cubical form,
that a sufficient amount of heat may be col-
lected and retained to keep the bees comforta-
ble in winter, in case they are wintered out
in the open air; and also to enable the bees to
lay up a sufficient amount of stores for the
winter, above them, that it may be easy of ac-
cess at all times, particularly in the coldest
weather.
  3. The interior of the hive should be easy
of acc.'ss, that the bee keeper may readily de-
termine the condition of his bees at all times.
which can only be accomplished by means of
the movable frames.
  4. The hive should be so constructel that it
can be easily and thoroughly ventilated, both
during the hot and cold seasons; the former
to prevent the melting of the combs, and to
secure the uninterrupted labor of a I the bees
during the workitig season; and the latter to
prevent the destruction of the bees by the accu-
mulation of frost in the hive.
  6. The hive should be so constructed as to



SIN FARMER.                              255

permit the passage of the bees over the top of
their combs at all seasons of the year, which
can only be accomplished by means of the
movable frames.
  6. The hive should be so constructed as to
give the bee-keeper complete control of both
the bees and their enemies, the greatest of
which is the'wax moth; to secure which end
the movable frame is indispensable.
  7. It should be so constructed that the bee-
keeper can form artificial swarms with ease
and certainty, thereby always keeping his
stocks strong, which can oily be accomplished
by the aid of the movable frame.
  8. It should enable the bee keeper to shut
off and slaughter the drones at will, thus sav-
ing front one to five Its. of honey per day in
each hive.
  9. It should enable the hee-keeper to secure
the greatest possible amount of pure comb
honey in surplus boxes, which can be readily
put on and removed.
  10. Lastly, the hive should be simple in con-
struction, and cheap.
  A Wisconsin Hive, patented by Walter M.
Lee, of Rosendale, Fond du Lac Cb , -ct. 15,
18til, is claimed by its inventor to more nearly
approximate this standard than any other now
before the public.
  Its chief points of excellence are claimed to
be the following:
  1. As to size; it containing a little more
than 2,000 cubic inches.
  2. Its form; being nearly cubical.
  3. It has an inclined and movable bottom
board, the advantages of which are claimed to
be the following :-I. It enables the bees to
more readily keep their hive clean. 2. It af-
fords a chance to ventilate the hive at the bot-
toni. 3. The entrance to the hive can, by its
use, be so contracted as to shut off the drones
or confine the queen bee, and at the same time
afford to the workers uninterrupted ingress
and egress, or it can be entirely closed at will,
affording many advantages which cannot Now
be named.
  4. It makes use of the movable frame, the