350 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



May 



frame and hive. Indeed, I am not sure that, 

 even in wintering, the old box hive is superior to 

 the Langstroth, especially in wise hands. 



Mr. Brown asks me if I think it wise to legislate 

 on foul brood. He asks if the same money and ef- 

 fort put into research will not accomplish more. In 

 reply, I will say that a somewhat similar malady 

 attacks the peach-trees in Michigan. A law was 

 passed requiring the immediate removal of diseas- 

 ed trees as soon as the malady was discovered. 

 That law has saved thousands of dollars to Michigan 

 peach-growers. It was enforced till people saw its 

 value. Now no law is needed. Why would not 

 or might not the same be true in case of foul brood? 

 We have a law in Michigan, but have never had to 

 use it more than once or twice, I think. The very 

 fact of the law seems to have brought the required 

 action without any legal proceedings. We under- 

 stand the disease pretty well now. One of Michi- 

 gan's best bee-keepers has had it for two or three 

 years. He told me last summer that he did not 

 fear it at all. He rather enjoyed dealing with it. 

 This man, however, has a big brain, and he knows 

 how to use it. A. J. Cook. 



Agricultural College, Mich. 



Friend Cook, this matter of closed-end 

 and closed-top frames, made in such a way 

 as to give them the advantage of the old box 

 hives, has been discussed for more than 

 twenty years through our bee-journals, and 

 I believe the general decision has been in 

 accordance with the views you give. I 

 think you are sound, also, on the matter of 

 legislation in regard to such things as foul 

 brood, the malady that threatens to ruin the 

 peach-trees, and other like matters. It is 

 not because people deliberately propose to 

 harm their neighbors, but it is the ever- 

 prevalent sin of neglect and procrastination. 

 In California, by efficient measures in Ven- 

 tura County, foul brood has been practically 

 extinguished ; but they were obliged to elect 

 some one as inspector, and have him visit 

 the apiaries, and decide what ought to be 

 done. In no case that I heard of did any 

 one dispute the justice of the law, or refuse 

 to do as the inspector directed. But without 

 the law, and the inspector to visit apiaries, 

 make examinations, and decide or advise, if 

 you choose to put it so, what is best to be 

 done, nothing would be accomplished. The 

 simple matter of letting people know that 

 such a law has been passed, is often all that 

 is needed to stir them up to a sense of duty. 



O. O. POPPLETON. 



A SKETCH OF HIS LIFE, BY HIS SISTER-IN-LAW. 



80. POPPLETON was born near Green Springs, 

 Seneca Co., Ohio, June 8, 184:5. When four 

 years of age his parents removed to Napo- 

 • leon, Henry Co., Ohio, where, two years lat- 

 er, his father died, leaving his mother a 

 widow with two sons, in straitened circum- 

 stances. Two years later his mother married Mr. 

 Joseph George, of Clyde, O., and settled in Sandus- 

 ky Co. After living there a few years the great in- 

 ducements of the West influenced his step-father to 

 move to Northern Iowa, where they settled in 

 Chickasaw Co., when Mr. Poppleton was 12 years of 



age. This was his home until two years ago, when 

 he removed to Florida on account of his health. 



As Iowa was a very new country, Mr. Poppleton 

 had the full benefit of pioneer backwoods life. His 

 education was obtained in common schools, except 

 about two years at Oberlin, where he also took a 

 commercial course. When 16 and 17 years of age, 

 in company with an uncle of his he taught writing- 

 school at several places in Ohio— at Lithopolis, Ho- 

 mer, Washington C. H., and Springfield; at the lat- 

 ter place he also kept books for a short time in a 

 daily-paper office. 



O. o. POPPLETON. 



In October, 1861, he enlisted as a private in the 7th 

 Iowa Infantry, and re-enlisted as a veteran in 1863. 

 In February, 1864, he was promoted to a lieutenancy 

 in the 111th TJ. S. C. Inf., and a few months later he 

 was made regimental adjutant. It was while per- 

 forming the duties of this office, and also at the 

 same time those of post adjutant at Murfreesboro, 

 Tenn., that overwork resulted in the eye trouble 

 that has so seriously affected his health ever since, 

 and which compelled the refusal of an excellent 

 offer of employment at the time of mustering out. 

 He served his country faithfully for five years; and 

 though he received no scar upon his body, yet the 

 smell of smoke was strong^upon his garments. He 

 was in several hard-fought battles, and taken pris- 

 oner once, but was held only a few weeks, when he 

 was released or exchanged. 



On leaving the service he settled down on a farm 

 adjoining his parents' in Iowa. He married a Miss 

 Groom, who died twelve years after, leaving him 

 two daughters. Mrs. Poppleton was a confirmed 

 invalid for nine years. 



Dec. 6, 1881, he married Mrs. Mattie Herrick, of 

 Ft. Wayne, Ind., who is a sister of the writer of this 

 sketch. On account of poor health, and the very 

 severe winters of Iowa, they went to Florida to 

 spend the winter for several winters, where he 

 found the change of climate, with outdoor living, 

 greatly improved his health. 



