1802 



(■.LBANIN(JS IN HEE CULTURE. 



507 



tlit'ii our (aliforniu 

 (jokiT).] 



-|iiiii(ii'iil " is aiiol liiM' 



RAMBLE NO. 62. 



MATII.I.IA r.\NV(>.\. 



At. till' kociHswopt boe-ko(>p(M's' coiivciilioM in 

 Los .Viigi'lcs I niado tho aciinaiiiliiiu-c oT Mi-. 15. 

 A. Rapp, also nl" N'cntura. 'I'in' Utile city of 

 Ventura is liiiilt alonii ilic slioif of die I'ac-ilic: 

 ami I'losc to it., fof a hacking, arc .several stcH'p 

 and barren-looking liiils. Someliines these 

 liillsidcs are covercii with residences, for Ikm'c 



?r7 



m 



w 



€^ 



■M^X- 



W' 





THK RAMBLER ON THE WARI'ATH; AFTER THE EDITOR OF 

 GEEANING.S WHILE IN CALIFORNIA. 



we gel a grand view of tlie Pacific Ocean, and 

 the h<'althfiil salt-water breezes come up to yon 

 withonl let or hindrance. The residence hav- 

 ing tli(; higliest elevation is occupied by Mr. B. 

 A. Rapp and his hi-other. .1. .1. 1 climbed the 

 hill in the evening, and could hear the steady 

 roar of the ocean- waves as they dashed in upon 

 the shore. All night this mo- 

 notonous movement of tlie waters 

 sound d much like the steady 

 contlict of waters at Niagara. 



B. .V.and the Rambler occupiec' 

 the same bed harnu)niously to- 

 gether, and felt very fraternal, as 

 we had both been upon the gold- 

 en shore less than a year, and 

 were both still in the order of 

 "tenderfoot." It was quite late 

 when we closed our eyes in 

 slumber, iind also late when we 

 opened them in the morning. A 

 grand view was, however, wait- 

 ing to impress itself upon our 

 opening eyes. While yet in the 

 bed sve could see far out upon the 

 Pacific Ocean. The long lazy 

 swells came rolling in: and upon 

 their approach to shore their 

 crests would sharpen up and'sud- 

 denly break into white foam all 

 along the line, and lash far up 

 on thi' pebbly beach. The shore- 

 line mak«!S a curve here, and the 

 foaming breakers were visible for 

 a long distance; and for severa 

 admired a grand picture of 

 nev»U' forget. ZZJL 



During th<; short lime Mr. B.^A. Rapp had 



been in N'entui'a he had come into possession of 

 two a|iiaries: lirsi by purchase, then i)y in- 

 cr(>ase, which speaks well for his energy and 

 close application lo business. We enjoyed a 

 very |)leasaiit ride, some ten miles o\it. to them, 

 and found them apparently in excellent condi- 

 tion for winter. We found all of the usual 

 concomitants of a California ajjiary — hives, 

 stones, tank, extracting-hut, and sun wax- 

 extractor. 



This locality differed somewhat from other 

 places I had visited. From the number of live- 

 oak trees. There were many of tliem, and they 

 aifonied a plenliful shade, and gave the land- 

 scape, a more pleasing appear- 

 ance. Shade, however, is not so 

 essential nc^ar the coast as it is 

 in the interior. The; .sea-breeze 

 nuikes a very even temperature 

 here, while In the interior the 

 mercury often rises to -lir) de- 

 grees in the shade. Still, owing 

 to the dryness of the atmosi)here 

 there are but few ca.ses of sun- 

 stroke*. 



.1. J. Rapp's apiary is 20 miles 

 from his residence, and well up 

 in the Matilija Canyon, into 

 which the editor of Gleaning.s 

 has twice journeyed; and from 

 his recent experience in getting 

 his feet cleansed from a heavy 

 coating of Medina garden soil, 

 he may be expected again when 

 said pedal extremities get into 

 the s;ime condition. But bewari". 

 Mr. Editor; this makes several 

 times the path of my travels has 

 been crossed, and patience has 

 ceased to exert a virtuous influ- 

 ence. I have the promise of a 

 shotgun for defense, and now 

 would say, in the immortal words 

 of the poet: "Beware the pine-tree's withered 

 branch; beware the fearful avalanche; be- 

 ware of my shotgun." 



Mr. Rapp was going into the canyon to regu- 

 late his apiary for the rainy season; and. desir- 

 ing an expert helpei'. we concluded the follow- 

 ing very satisfactory bargain: I was to ride ;2() 



l^ 









THE RAMBLER A.NI) FRIEND EN ROUTE TO AN OUT-AI'IARY 

 IN CALIFORNIA. 



minutes we 

 nature we shall 



miles on the nigh side of a road-cart; open all 

 the gates, etc.. that obstructed our way; eat 

 what Mr. R. had a mind to givi' me; sleep 

 where he told me. and do as he did in the apia- 



