MOVABLE COMB HIVE. 19 



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 look 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, yet 

 that your hive was almost totally different from his, in con- 

 struction and arrangement ; that while the same objects 

 substantially are attained by each, your hive is more simple, 

 more convenient, and much better adapted for general intro- 

 duction 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, clum- 

 siness, vain whims, and decidedly 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 principles 

 and devising a most valuable system of management from 

 observed facts. But in invention, as far as neatness, com- 

 pactness, and adaptation of means to ends are concerned, 

 the sturdy German must yield the palm to you. You will 

 find a case of similar coincidence detailed in the Westmin- 

 ster Review for October, 1852, page 267, et seq. 



I send you herewith some interesting statements respect- 

 ing Dzierzon, and the estimate in which his system is held 

 in Germany. "Very truly yours, 



SAMUEL WAGNER. 



Rev. L. L. Langstroth. 



