1895 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



935 



natural history and habits of bees is a stand- 

 ard authority wherever bee-keeping is an in- 

 dustry of importance. 



Sixteen years ago, when I attended the bee 

 and honey exhibitions in Europe it was demon- 

 strated to my observation that movable frames 

 were universally used; and whenever the in- 

 ventor's name was mentioned it was cheered to 

 the echo. In England. Scotland, Switzerland, 

 Germany, Austria, and Italy, I found enthusi- 

 astic admirers of Father Langstroth, who truly 

 loved him for his apicultural inventions and 

 his pure and benevolent character. 



Unfortunately Father Langstroth was not a 

 millionaire, nor did he possess enough in his 

 old age to secure even the necessaries of life. 

 He had been too liberal and unselfish in his 

 prime to even think of age or want. 



In each of the countries before named, it fell 

 to ray lot to state tiiese facts when in the as- 

 semblies of representative apiarists. To illus- 

 trate the esteem in which he was held, let me 

 mention a few instances. 



At a banquet in London, given in honor of 

 the American representative to the bee-conven- 

 tions of Europe, a toast was proposed to the 

 Rev. L. L. Langstroth for his apicultural in- 

 ventions and genius. Being called upon to 

 respond to the toast, I referred to ihe misfor- 

 tune of his poverty, and immediately, in true, 

 large-hearted English style, the whole as«ein- 

 bly rose to its feet, cheered his name, and a 

 good contribution was then and there made 

 and sent to Mr. L.. to cheer his heart and clothe 

 and feed him during the approaching winter. 

 There were present, not only representative 

 English and Scotch apiarists, but many from 

 Continental Europe, and among these there 

 were four or five editors of bee-periodcals. All 

 were of one mind, doing honor to our loved 

 American bee-master, who has just passed 

 through the gates of Paradise. 



At the other bee-conventions on the conti- 

 nent, similar scenes were enacted, particularly 

 in Switzerland and Bohemia. At the latter, 

 the Rev. Dr. Dzierzon (the Nestor of German 

 apiculture) forcibly stated his admiration of 

 Mr. Langstroth, and sent a loving message to 

 him by the writer. Among his other enthusi- 

 astic admirers I may mention the Baroness of 

 Berlepsch, Augustus Schmidt, editor of the 

 Bienenzeitung. Prof. Sartori, Herr Vogel, Hil- 

 bert, and Carl Gatter. 



Prof. Butlerow, of Russia, Councilor of the 

 Government, was the bearer from St. Peters- 

 burg to Prague of the imperial distinction of 

 the Order of Santa Anna, by order of the late 

 Czar, to confer the same upon the Rev. Dr. 

 Dzierzon for his apicultural research and in- 

 ventions, and that Russian dignitary was 

 pleased to couple the name of Langstroth, of 

 America, with Dzierzon, of Germany, and 

 others, as the greatest men living in the api- 



cultural world of the day. He then conferred 

 the decoration on Dr. Dzierzon, with the usual 

 ceremonies. 



But space forbids further narration of the 

 many interesting incidents within my know- 

 ledge, in proof of the topic assigned to me. I 

 will merely add that the educated and most 

 prominent apiarists of the world, with one ac- 

 cord, attribute to Father Langstroth this well- 

 earned honor: That in his life, character, and 

 labors, he was one of Nature's noblemen— a 

 modest, unassuming, honest man. He has 

 fairly and fully earned the grand distinction of 

 being the " Prince of Apiarists— the Huber of 

 America I " 



We should all realize that it is the greatest of 

 all earthly privileges, as well as among the 

 highest of all human duties, to commemorate 

 the life, example, and services of one so devoted 

 to the advancement of apiculture as a science 

 and a pursuit. 



He was as confiding as a child, and therefore 

 an easy prey for the unprincipled. At Toronto, 

 the last time he appeared at a bee-keeper's 

 convention, it was a grand treat to listen to his 

 loving words, so entertainingly uttered. Even 

 food was forgotten, though placed before him, 

 when talking with friends and companions. 



Some of us donated enough to take him to 

 Toronto, and there a liberal donation was made 

 him. His last letter to me began with these 

 words: "Dear Friend: I can almost see you, 

 and hear your generous remarks concerning 

 me before the Toronto convention," showing 

 how he " lived over again ' the pleasant scenes 

 of life, while waiting for the 'change ' which 

 should call him to the 'home over there.'" 

 Patiently, lovingly, confidingly, he might say: 



Only waiting till the sliadows 



Are a little loiigei- grown ; 

 Only waiting till the glimmer 



Of the day's last beam is flown; 

 Then, from out the gathered darkness. 



Bright and deathless stars shall rise. 

 By wliose light my soul shall gladly 



'I'lead its pathway to the skies." 



Chicago. 111., Nov. IS. 



FROM MR. LANGSTROTH' S PASTOR. 



Rrr. ir. F. MtCaulry. 



I was intimately acquainted with Mr. Lang- 

 stroth for the la*t eight years of his life, he 

 being a member of my congregation in Dayton 

 for over seven of those years. It will be im- 

 possible, in the limits allowed in this sympo- 

 sium, to do more than to give some general 

 statements concerning this remarkable man. 



He came to Dayton in August, 1SS7. I last 

 saw him in September, 189.5, on the occasion of 

 his visit to Toledo, made while en route to the 

 Toronto convention. Twice in the period indi- 

 cated he suffered from his peculiar physical ail- 



