18 
THE HIVE AND nONET-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 sim- 
ple, 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.” 
