HUNTING AND HIVING WILD BEES 69 
may make his own estimate of the profits of bee culture 
in California. Incredible as the figures appear, other par- 
ties report results nearly as great. 
In view of the facts given--and they agree with the ex- 
perience of intelligent bee-keepers every where—it ap- 
pears safe to estimate the net profits of keeping bees at 
least at one hundred per cent. per annum, when they re- 
ceive the attention and care that a farmer gives to any 
other kind of stock. Even at this low estimate, can the 
farmer give his attention to any thing else that will pay 
as well? 
Considering the small capital needed to begin with ; 
the ease with which it may be expanded, and the safety of 
the business—with the right kind of hive—the lightness 
of the labor, and little attention needed ; the very small 
waste from ‘wear and tear,” and that what the bees . 
gather is so much actually saved—bee-keeping commends 
itself to every producer whose situation will admit of it. 
Every family in the country, and many families in cities, 
might keep a few swarms of bees; and thus, if they did 
not sell any honey, they would add a material item to 
their own tables. Millions of dollars are lost in our coun- 
try every year from want of bees to save it. 
HUNTING AND HIVING WILD BEES 
I will give the method practised by myself, whereby I 
have no difficulty in soon determining the exact locality 
of the swarm, and securing it. 
As something depends upon the season of the year in 
which it is proposed to hunt them, I will give the differ- 
ent methods suitable for each season, beginning with 
early spring. Take the middle of a warm sunny day, the 
