L.L. Langstroth - Langstroths Hive and the Honey-Bee: The Classic Beekeepers Manual

Langstroths Hive
and the Honey-Bee

So work the Honey Bees,

Creatures, that by a rule in Nature, teach

The art of order to a peopled kingdom.Shakspeare.

The Classic Beekeepers Manual

L. L. Langstroth

DOVER PUBLICATIONS, INC.
Mineola, New York

Bibliographical Note

This Dover edition, first published in 2004, is an unabridged republication of the Fourth Edition of the work originally published in 1878 by J.B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia, under the title A Practical Treatise on the Hive and Honey-Bee.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Langstroth, L. L. (Lorenzo Lorraine), 18101895.

Langstroths hive and the honey-bee : the classic beekeepers manual / L.L. Langstroth.

p. cm.

Originally published: A practical treatise on the hive and honey-bee. Philadelphia : J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1878.

ISBN 0-486-43384-6 (pbk.)

1. Bee culture. 2. Honeybee. I. Langstroth, L. L. (Lorenzo Lorraine), 18101895. Practical treatise on the hive and honey bee. II. Title.

SF523.L286 2004
638'.1dc22

2003068769

Manufactured in the United States of America
Dover Publications, Inc., 31 East 2nd Street, Mineola, N.Y. 11501

I AM happy to learn from my friend Mr. LANGSTROTH, that a new edition of his work on the Hive and Honey-Bee is called for ; I consider it by far the most valuable treatise on these subjects, which has come under my notice. Some years before it was published, I became acquainted with the main characteristics of his system of Bee-culture, and even then, I believed it to be incomparably superior to all others of which I had either read or heard. This conviction has been amply strengthened by the testimony of others, as well as by results which have come under my own observation.

In my early life I had no inconsiderable experience in the management of bees, and I am bold to say that the hive which Mr. LANGSTROTH has invented, is in all respects greatly superior to any which I have ever seen, either in this or foreign countries. Indeed, I do not believe that any one who takes an intelligent interest in the rearing of bees, can for a moment hesitate to use it ; or, rather, can be induced to use any other, when he becomes acquainted with its nature and merits.

At length the true secret has been discovered, of making these most industrious, interesting, and useful of insect-communities, work in habitations both comfortable to themselves and wonderfully convenient for their aggregation, division, and rapid increase ; and all this without diminishing their productive labor, or resorting to the cruel measure of destroying them.

Mr. LANGSTROTH teaches us in his book, how bees can be taken care of without great labor, and without the risk of suffering from the weapon which the Creator has given them for self-defence. Even a delicate lady need not fear to undertake the task of cultivating this fascinating branch of Rural Economy. Nothing is easier for any family that resides in a favorable situation, than to have a number of colonies, and this at but little expense. I sincerely hope that many will avail themselves of the facilities now placed before them for prosecuting this easy branch of industry, not only for the sake of the large profit in proportion to its expense, which it may be made to yield, but also for the substantial pleasure which they may find in observing the habits of these wonderful little creatures. How remarkably does their entire economy illustrate the wisdom and skill of the GREAT AUTHOR of all things.

I cannot but believe that many Ministers of the Gospel, residing in rural districts, will accept of Mr. LANGSTROTHS generous offer to give them the free use of his Invention. With very little labor or expense, they can derive from bee-keeping considerable profit, as well as much pleasure. No industrial or material employment can be more innocent, or less inconsistent with their proper work.

There are few portions of our country which are not admirably adapted to the culture of the Honey-Bee. The wealth of the nation might be increased by millions of dollars, if every family favorably situated for bee-keeping would keep a few hives. No other branch of industry can be named, in which there need be so little loss on the material that is employed, or which so completely derives its profits from the vast and exhaustless domains of Nature.

I trust that Mr. LANGSTROTHS labors will contribute greatly to promote a department of Rural Economy, which in this country has hitherto received so little scientific attention. He well deserves the name of Benefactor ; infinitely more so than many who in all countries and in all ages have received that honorable title. Not many years will pass away without seeing his important invention brought into extensive use, both in the Old and New World. Its great merits need only to be known ; and this, Time will certainly bring about.

ROBERT BAIRD.

ENCOURAGED by the favor with which the former editions of this work have been received, I submit to the public a Revised Edition, illustrated by additional woodcuts, and containing my latest discoveries and improvements. The information which it presents, is adapted not only to those who use the Movable Comb Hive, but to all who aim at profitable bee-keeping, with any hive, or on any system of management.

Debarred, to a great extent, by ill-health, from the appropriate duties of my profession, and compelled to seek an employment calling me as much as possible into the open air, I cherish the hope that my labors in an important department of Rural Economy, may prove serviceable to the community. Bee-keeping is regarded in Europe as an intellectual pursuit, and no one who studies the wonderful habits of this useful insect, will ever find the materials for new observations exhausted. The Creator has stamped the seal of his Infinity on all his works, so that it is impossible, even in the minutest, by searching to find out the Almighty to perfection. In none of them, however, has he displayed himself more clearly than in the economy of the Honey-Bee :

What well-appointed commonwealths ! where each

Adds to the stock of happiness for all ;

Wisdoms own forums ! whose professors teach

Eloquent lessons in their vaulted hall !

Galleries of art ! and schools of industry !

Stores of rich fragrance ! Orchestras of song !

What marvellous seats of hidden alchemy !

How oft, when wandering far and erring long,

Man might learn truth and virtue from the BEE !

BOWRING.

The attention of Ministers of the Gospel is particularly invited to this branch of Natural History. An intimate acquaintance with the wonders of the Bee-Hive, while beneficial to them in many ways, might lead them, in their preaching, to imitate more closely the example of Him who illustrated his teachings by the birds of the air, and the lilies of the field, as well as the common walks of life, and the busy pursuits of men.

It affords me sincere pleasure to acknowledge my obligations to Mr. SAMUEL WAGNER, of York, Pennsylvania, for material assistance in the preparation of this Treatise. To his extensive and accurate acquaintance with Beekeeping in Germany, my readers will find themselves indebted for much exceedingly valuable information.