The most important single contribution was that of Arthur C. Miller, of Rhode Island, who gave his entire personal library of beekeeping publications. There were more than 100 old books, some very rare, several hundred volumes of bound magazines, including a complete set of Beekeeper's Review and nearly complete sets of the American Bee Journal and Gleanings, besides numerous bulletins, pamphlets and other material. All told, it filled several large boxes and was estimated at about $1,000 in value.

The final dedication was a very unusual event. Beekeepers met at Madison and then went on to the old home of Doctor Miller at Marengo, Illinois, where a bronze tablet was placed in the church to which he had devoted loyal service during his lifetime. At Madison, the dedication was held in connection with a beekeeping chautauqua on August 13 to 18, 1923. The program of the conference, from Monday until Friday, contained the names of most of the well-known leaders in the beekeeping field. Rarely have so many prominent men of the industry come together for a single occasion, and the subjects discussed covered the whole field of beekeeping activity. On Saturday, the group drove to Marengo for the day. Arrangements had been made for unveiling the tablet, a contribution of the members of the committee, who had paid ten dollars each into a fund for that purpose.

About 350 persons were in attendance, and when it is considered that beekeepers are widely scattered and that they came long distances, it was a very representative group. A basket lunch was served at Marengo and the afternoon devoted to the service at the church, which was filled for the occasion. The tablet was unveiled by Mrs. Miller, after which addresses were

Beekeeping Memorials

205 made by C. P. Dadant, Prof. H. H. Wilson, and Dr. E. F. Phillips. The tablet reads as follows:

This Tablet is erected by beekeepers to Charles C. Miller a former resident of Marengo in appreciation of his services to beekeeping and as a mark of esteem.

A library of beekeeping literature has been endowed at the University of Wisconsin to his memory.

After the dedication of the tablet, a visit was paid to the Miller home, where hundreds of his admirers satisfied their curiosity as to the environment in which he had worked.

By 1925 the library was so well established that it was recognized as an institution by American beekeepers. The University provided space and clerical help for its maintenance. There was an endowment of $2,000, and already there were about 700 books and 800 volumes of magazines. The growth was very rapid, for by the end of 1926 Custodian Wilson reported a total of 5, 200 books and magazines, cash donations to the amount of $3, 358. 76, and the regular receipt of 107 different bee magazines from all over the world.

In 1930 the library of Col. H. J. O. Walker, of Devon, England, was obtained as an addition. This library contained about 1, 200 titles and included many rare items. It was started by Alfred Neighbour, in about 1850. On the death of Mr. Neighbour, the books were acquired by Col. Walker in about 1890. He devoted much attention to extending the list until the final sale to the Miller Library, of which it is now a part.

In 1925, Dr. E. F. Phillips, of Cornell University, undertook to establish a similar library at that institution. Phillips, an aggressive man with a wide acquaintance, obtained much support for his venture. Later it was decided to make it a memorial to Langstroth. It has grown to a large extent and provides a very creditable memorial to the man it was designed to honor. Although lacking the immediate familiarity with the Langstroth personality enjoyed by beemen of an earlier generation, the beekeepers have been generous in their support.