880 



GLEANINGS IN BEE CULTURE. 



Dec. 1. 



natural growth of alfalfa and other grasses, 

 and the fields are green all tlie year round. 



The most productive portion of the county is 

 known as the '" peat lands." This large tract 

 of land near the ocean is composed of t,he richest 

 of peat: and, while the surface is dry enough 

 to be tilled, there is plenty of water at a little 

 distance below the surface; in fact, the ground 

 over much of this tract is so soft that the crops 

 have to be drawn out upon a sort of sled with 

 broad runners, and the hoises are provided 

 with bog-shoes which are large cushionlike 

 arrangements strapped to the feet, and which 

 prevent the horses from sinking. 



Garden-truck of all kinds is grown to perfec- 

 tion, and it is a common practice to plant a 

 field to potatoes, corn, and pumpkins, and have 

 the three crops growing at once, and yielding 

 large returns. The lover of market-gardening 

 would surely have all of his enthusiasm aroused 

 by a visit to the rich peat lands, where no ar- 

 tificial manuring is required to attain great 

 results. 



The young American boys who seem to be 

 worthy of emulation are the Miner brothers, 

 who have, during the past season, obtained 30 

 tons of honey. 



While in 8anta Ana I thought it my duty to 

 hunt up Mr. Elisha Gallup, an old-time bee- 

 keeper, whose writings are siill remembered by 

 old-time bee-keepers. 1 found him in his cosy 

 home in the suburbs of the town. He was 

 divested of coat and vest, and seemed to be en- 

 joying the climate. His age of 73 summers 

 seems to rest lightly upon him; and but from 

 being partially bald, and his remaining hair 

 gray, he would look quite young. I told him 

 that I had hunted him up in order to have a 

 bee-talk if he was at leisure. 



" Well," said he, " I am here now; fire away." 

 So we exchanged shots for about an hour. 



Mr. G. does not at present manage bees; but 

 one can readily see that he has the old love for 

 the pursuit. I found the father caring for his 

 three little children, the mother having passed 

 to the other shore a few months ago. The old- 



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ELISHA GALLUP. 



The average bee-keeper, in passing through 

 Orange Co.. would think, from tlie appearance 

 of the hills in the distance, that it would not be 

 much of a honey-producing county; but from 

 reports during the present season it will hold 

 its own with the interior couniies. The best 

 quality and largest amount of honey is obtained 

 in the foot-hills on the east side of the county, 

 while a darker grade of honey is obtained in 

 the low lands. As we near the coast, bees 

 swarm to a greater extent than in the interior, 

 and quite a number make it a business to catch 

 such swarms and start apiaries, or sell them to 

 those who wish to start a bee-ranch. 



When entering the county through the foot- 

 hills we catch glimpses of apiaries now and 

 then in the canyons; and one of these, I was 

 informed, belonged to four Mexican boys. It is 

 seldom that a Mexican can get up energy 

 enough to run a bee-ranch; but these young 

 fellows, having got their hands in, and having 

 young American bee-keepers to emulate, we 

 should hope to see them make a success of it. 



est boy is six years old; the next four, and the 

 youngest a girl two years old. All are bright 

 and extremely well-behaved children. The 

 oldest came in from school, and the father re- 

 marked that he stood at the head of his class. 

 The second boy was intent upon telling me 

 about his pet ''yabbits," which a kind lady 

 had given him. Mr. G. keeps a few coops of 

 poultry, and finds recreation in that and in car- 

 ing for the little park at the railroad depot. 

 Before I left town the next morning I photoed 

 the residence and the occupants; and though it 

 was early, and the usual morning fog was hang- 

 ing over the city, I hope our artist can repro- 

 duce it for our readers. 



There are many thriving towns around Santa 

 Ana; and when in them, if you meet a genuine 

 Californian you would think from his descrip- 

 tion that his individual town is the paradise 

 spot of the earth. The water there is purest, 

 the air most bracing, the fruit more abundant 

 and better flavored; the boys best behaved, 

 and the girls best looking. Some of these old- 



