Supplement to APRIL Wo. 1875; and Eighth Edition Circular and Price List. 
OUR IKKOLEV. 
THE liEE-KEEI’ERS OF OUR COUNTRY. 
D ear fellow bee-keepers it is 
now the 9th of March, and though winter 
still lingers, the sun has to-day thawed the ice 
off the walks sufliciently to allow Blue Eyes to 
take extensive promenades, of such a nature, 
that she fairly bubbled over at supper time 
with accounts to her papa of the wonderful 
things she had seen “out doors-es." The bees 
have rather stopped dying in the forcing house 
and are now starting brood very fairly, in pro- 
portion to their diminutive numbers, left to 
gather meal and care in other ways for the well 
being of their little ones. The rest of our Api- 
ary seem to have wintered splendidly ; Glean- 
ings is receiving daily accessions to its circle 
of friends, although it has already a far larger 
number than at any time last year, and the 
world in general presents such an unwonted 
cheerful aspect that we really cannot, get at the 
matter in hand, until we tell you all how fer- 
vently we thank God for his many many bles- 
sings of which we are so little deserving. 
Prominent among them is the pleasant news 
coming from one after another of our old friends 
to let us know they are rejoicing to find that 
we too have finally “found that peace that pas- 
seth understanding.” 
Bo you wonder that vie rejoice to And wc 
have so many ministers among our subscribers, 
that we feel as if we must take them all by 
the hand and wish them God speed in their 
noble work of reforming mankind ? And this 
reminds us that we hope we shall have the 
approval of all of you iu deciding to mention 
Mr. Langstroth, first of all the Bee-Keepers of 
America. 
Rev. L. L. Langstboth, of Oxford, Butler 
Lo., Ohio, most of you know, is generally ac- 
corded the honor of having first made the 
movable comb bee hive practically a success, 
and of having introduced it extensively among 
the people. IIow far lie has been remembered, 
and what are his present circumstances may be 
gathered from the following extracts from a 
letter just received from him. It was not in- 
tended for publication, yet it answers so many 
inquiries iu regard to him that we feel sure he 
will excuse it. 
Excuse dear friends, the delay in replying to vnur 
kind inquliics. Since the last, of June 18?:!, [ have 
been laid aside from business ol all kinds, and only in 
a few Instances have I been able personally to respond 
to letters addressed to me. This week for the first 
time, have I felt anv very hopeful symptoms of resto- 
red mental activity. A year ago last fall I was com- 
pelled by poverty and sickness to part with all my 
bees, and it is only within a few days that I cared to 
hear again the hum of an insect In which I once took 
such delight. Two years ago I was straining every 
nerve to have the suit of Otis against King brought to 
an issue. That eminent counsellor S. S. Fisher, after 
seeing al I that the defense could say for their ease, 
was confident that the claims of my patent would not 
be invalidated. The day was set for the hearing; hut 
before the cross examination on my own sworn state- 
ment could be completed I was prostrated in mind 
and body by my old complaint, ami every thing came, 
to a stand. Since then Col. Fisher has died ; and 
Mr. Otis, alter being some time an inmate of an insane 
asylum, died there, and of course the suit came to an 
end. My relatives knew, and Mr. H. A. King was also 
informed by me, personally, that in aiding Mr. Otis, I 
had ceased to expect any pecuniary benefit by appeal- 
ing to law (in case of a favorable verdict) to maintain 
my own rights against infringers. My settled and 
declared Intention, was in the large territory which I 
then owned, to leave al! infringers to act as their own 
consciences might dictate, in paying me a license fee 
or not, even although the law allowed me seven 
years after (lie expiration of the patent, to collect 
damages against them. I have felt lor years that from 
the many conflicting, and as I believe, infringing 
hives, which have come into use, my relations to tile 
bee-keeping community, had become misunderstood 
by many who were Ignorant of the facts. I have un- 
ceasingly grieved to find myself in my old age. In 
such unpleasant antagonism to manv with whom I 
sought to maintain only friendly relations. I have 
never derived even a meagre support from my patent, 
independent of the. employment, and am now, since I 
have been laid aside from all business, almost entirely 
dependent upon the kindness of relatives. 
Should I regain sufficient health, I should delight to 
revise my work on the Honey llee, and give it the 
benefit of the latest discoveries and improvements. 
Just before 1 was taken sick, I had been planning 
to make you a visit and show you what I regarded as 
a decided advance In the way of constructing both 
hives and frames. 1 remember with great Interest our 
very pleasant correspondence, and the expressions of 
kindness from Novice and family. 1 associate you 
with the dear wife who appreciated so deeply the* in- 
terest, which you and your kind physician took in my 
health. With tlie kindest regards to each member of 
your family, I remain as ever. 
Very truly your friend, L. L. Langstroth. 
Oxford, O. Feb. 26th, 1875. 
In giving the above we have several objects 
in view ; one is to show those who are enter- 
taining hopes of gain by selling rights, that 
even so valuable an improvement as the mov- 
able comb, only resulted in trouble and loss to 
almost all parties concerned. And worst of 
all, it made unkindness, and trouble, where all 
should have been friends and neighbors. Last- 
ly, it shows those who feel as if they owe a 
debt that lias not been paid, just how they can 
recompense our kind old friend for his services. 
