38 INTRODUCTION TO CALIFORNIA. 



two of the swarms were sold at auction to settle up his estate 

 and were bought by Major James W. Patrick, at $105 

 and $110, respectively. 



Mr. Wm. Buck imported the second lot in November, 1855. 

 He left New York with thirty-six swarms and saved eighteen. 

 I purchased a half-interest in them. I also, in the fall of 1854, 

 bought one swarm of Major Patrick, from which I had an 

 increase of two. 



Mr. Buck returned East immediately, and arrived in Feb- 

 ruary, 1856, with forty-two swarms, of which he saved but 

 seven. Our increase in 1856, from the twenty-eight swarms, 

 was seventy-three ; we also had about 400 Ibs. of honey in 

 boxes, which we sold at from $1.50 to $2.00 per Ib. 



Mr. Wm. Briggs, of San Jose, brought out, spring of 1856, 

 one swarm, from which he had an increase of seven or eight 

 swarms the following summer. 



The above were the only importations I know of prior to 

 the year (spring) 1857, which covers the ground of your ii" 

 quiries. 



There are in our county at this time, about one thousand 

 swarms. 



Very respectfully, &c., 



F. G. APPLETON. 



The first hive of bees ever in the SACRAMENTO VAL- 

 LEY, was brought from San Jose* in the summer of 

 1855, by Mr. A. P. Smith, the eminent nursery- 

 man of Sacramento ; they however soon died, which 

 gave the impression that bees would not do well in 

 this vicinity. 



In this belief I did not concur, and therefore took 

 measures to test the matter further. 



In the fall of 1855, 1 sent East and had one hive 

 of bees brought out, which arrived in Sacramento 



