In all my walks, however, I have never come upon a regular bee-ranch in the Central Valley like those so common and so skilfully managed in the southern counties of the State.

The few pounds of honey and wax produced are consumed at home, and are scarcely taken into account among the coarser products of the farm.

The swarms that escape from their careless owners have a weary, perplexing time of it in seeking suitable homes.

Most of them make their way to the foot-hills of the mountains, or to the trees that line the banks of the rivers, where some hollow log or trunk may be found.

A friend of mine, while out hunting on the San Joaquin, came upon an old coon trap, hidden among some tall grass, near the edge of the river, upon which he sat down to rest.