Last year I made me three Price hives according to Vol. IV., page 87. On
inspecting my hives, after the bees had been put in, I found in the
first one all its frames lodged on one side. To obviate this, I drove
small tack-nails on top sidewards, to hold the frames at proper distance
apart; but this does not do. In lifting out the frames I slightly
damaged brood and honey. The second hive was in order, but the combs
very uneven. The third had its combs straight every time, impossible to
be otherwise down to the middle; but from the middle corners down to the
lower corner they were fastened together and all gone astray. Further,
the crushing of bees by the honey-board annoyed me much. They are so
very heavy and troublesome to handle, that I have broken up the whole
concern.
Now, I have constructed a hive on the Gallup pattern, say one foot
square, and use twelve frames in it. This is what I like. My combs are
as straight as a piece of board, and very easy to handle. I shall stick
to it. But, dear editor, I fear I have infringed on some one’s patent,
and I do not like others to do the thinking, and myself to reap the
harvest--which is about as criminal as stealing another man’s brains.
The question is: whom have I to pay? My frames are made thus:
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They hang on a rabbet, suspended by half an inch of iron wire, the
thickness of an ordinary lead pencil. They are very easy to take out,
and are never gummed fast. Now, do you not think I have infringed the
Langstroth principle? If so, please inform me. My frames are
three-quarters of an inch thick, and are very strong. I have had much
trouble with frames as commonly made, when filled with honey. They are
then too weak.