A friend of mine, on ascertaining that I did not allow prejudice to operate against any own interest knowingly, even in a bee-hive--that I would not reject an advantage because it was found in a patent, but was willing to profit by whatever could be made profitable--sent me a copy of the _Rev. L. L. Langaroth's work on the "_Hive_ and Honey-Bee," early in 1856. I had heard of the work previously, but had understood that I recommended a patent hive, and not having reason toesteem them very highly, I took no pains to proceure the work. I found, on a perusal, 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, 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 the 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 the interior of a bee-hive, which seemed feasible with his movable frames. And I further saw that I could make just such a hive as I was using with the advantage of taking out and returning the combs, if I chose ; therefore, after waiting some months without an answer to a latter addressed to Mr. L., I returned to construct some half-door hives on this principle, and transferred the bees and combs from the same number of common hives into them. The greatest advantage that I then anticipated was the prevention of second swarms, in which I succeeded without any difficulty. Without knowing that I had done, Mr. Langaroth, near the end of the season, brought me a sample of his hive, requesting a trial, and a report of the result when fully satisfied, which I readily promised to do. The shape, as he had it, did not suit me, but the principle of the frames, rightly managed, I judged might be made profitable--the advantages ought to be enough to balance the extra expense of construction. Having had a few lessons in bee-hives, when my expecta ions were not altogether realized, I determined, notwithstanding it opporated like an improvement, to test this thoroughly before recommending it. Accordingly, in the summer of 1857, I put bees into nearly one hundred of these hives. Although several made their combs somewhat crooked, they could be taken out of all but one. _That season proved a very poor one for honey, and the greater part of the swarms had too little stores for winter, and, to prevent a worse evil, were doomed to the brimestone pit. All the combs in these frames were saved, as so much work accomplished for another year. Such as continued enough honey to make it worth the trouble were given to the light colonies, a number of which were by this means enabled to pass the winter safely. For this reason (1853), these frames with dry combs were used, with empty oils, in most of the hives for new swarms." Two or three frames only, outstanding combs, were put in 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 the movable frames depends on their being straight enough at last to be lifted out--a ditlently more common this
## Appendix A Appendix.