18 THE HIVE AND HONEY-BEE. 



cumstances made me very anxious to examine your hives, 

 and induced me to visit your Apiary in the village of 

 West Philadelphia, last August. In the absence of the 

 keeper I took the liberty to explore the premises 

 thoroughly, opening and inspecting a number of the 

 hives and noticing the internal arrangement of the parts. 

 The result was, that I came away convinced that though 

 your system was based on the same principles as Dzierzon's, 

 your hive was almost totally different from his both in con- 

 struction and arrangement ; and that while the same objects 

 substantially are attained by each, your hive is more sun- 

 pie, more convenient, and much better adapted for general 

 introduction and use, since the mode of using it can be 

 more easily taught. Of its ultimate and triumphant 

 success I have no doubt. I sincerely believe that when it 

 comes under the notice of Mr. Dzierzon, he will himself 

 prefer it to his own. It in fact combines all the good 

 properties which a hive ought to possess, while it is free 

 from the complication, clumsiness, vain whims and deci- 

 dedly objectionable features which characterize most of the 

 inventions which profess to be at all superior to the simple 

 box, or the common chamber hive. 



" You may certainly claim equal credit with Dzierzon 

 for originality in observation and discovery in the natural 

 history of the honey-bee, and for success in deducing prin- 

 ciples and devising a most valuable system of management 

 from observed facts. But in invention, as far as neatness, 

 compactness, and adaptation of means to ends are con- 

 cerned, the sturdy German must yield the palm to you. 



"I send you herewith some interesting statements 

 respecting Dzierzon, and the estimate in which his system 

 is held in Germany. Very truly yours, 



SAMUEL WAGNER. 



REV. L. L. LANGSTROTH." 



