292 



AKBOKICULTUKE 



From ihc lime of the Conquest Mexico 

 has practiced irrigation. The long aque- 

 ducts of masonry, the arches of brick, to 

 carry streams of water over broad and 

 deep valleys, are still in good preserva- 

 tion, although constructed three centu- 

 ries ago. Dams of cut stone, with press- 

 ors or reservoirs of great extent, and dis- 

 tributing canals, convey water from 

 the canyons to the iields far away. 



Eude as may be the implements, and 

 lixed in ancient habits as are the people, 

 yet they are adepts iu the art of irriga- 

 tion. 



Mountains have been pierced with tun- 

 nels to bring the precious fluid from dis- 

 tant valleys, for on the elevated lands 

 agriculture is dependent upon irrigation 

 to extend the season of plant growth be- 

 yond the rainy period. 



The dry and rainy seasons are more 

 marked in Central Mexico than in the 

 Eastern United States, although in Cal- 

 ifornia similar periodic rains occur, and 

 during the rainless months water must 

 be supplied. 



There are great agricultural valleys 

 throughout the tablelands of Mexico, 

 where corn, cotton, sugar cane, alfalfa 

 and small grains arc grown, while the 

 Maguey is one of the principal products, 

 pulque being as much a national drink 

 among the poorer classes as beer is in 

 Germany, wine in France and whisky in 

 Kentucky. 



Upon the lowlands near the seacoast, 

 where the air is more moist, irrigation is 

 unnecessary. 



There are places where, on rough, 

 rocky hills, bare of soil, have been built 

 large cities. Here, in excavations in the 

 rocks, filled with soil from a distance, 

 are growing fine shade trees. Walls of 

 masonry have been erected, four or five 

 feet square, two feet high, about these 

 trees, in which water is poured to irri- 

 gate them. This also protects the trees 

 from careless people and stray stock. 



Some of the great trees, as the one 

 which we illustrate, the c^Tiress of Mon- 

 tezuma, at Chapultepec, have been re- 

 ligiously oarod for during more than 400 

 years. 



rcmiHiratun^ 



During July and August the telegraph 

 brought reports of very high temperature 

 throughout the United States, the ther- 

 mometer being reported to register 105 

 degrees at times. In Central ^lexico, at 

 the same time, the weather was extremely 

 pleasant, with but 70 to 75 degrees 

 Fahrenheit. Towards the close of each 

 day a dark cloud would usually appear, 

 and suddenly a rain of brief duration in- 

 dicated the rainy season. Frequently 

 these rains occurred at night. 



This equable temperature makes tlie 

 tablelands of Mexico a most pleasant re- 

 gion for summer residence or travel. At 

 no time was it unpleasantly w-arm, while 

 at night -blankets were always acceptable. 



Forestry Laws. 



The forestry laws of Mexico have been 

 constructed along French lines and are 

 immeasurably superior to those of the 

 United States. We shall soon have a 

 translation of these laws and give the 

 substance of each. Briefly, the forests 

 are protected by the Government, forest 

 fires are infrequent, and, when they oc- 

 cur, immediate and thorough investiga- 

 tion is made as to the cause, and persons 

 who are guilty of starting fires are se- 

 verely punished. 



The Government refuses to sell the 

 forest lands, but leases the right to cut 

 timber under official direction. The offi- 

 cial brand placed upon a tree must show 

 when timber is exported, else the wood 

 is confiscated. The importance of the 

 forests is recognized in their laws. 



Noticte. 



Our friends must appreciate the efforts of 

 the editor to make Arboriculture instruc- 

 tive, attractive and useful. Money is required 

 to keep up such an advanced pubhcation. 

 Plea.se remember this and send such contribu- 

 tions and subscriptions as will aid in the 

 finances of the Society. Address all com- 

 munications to JOHN P. BROWN, 



Connersville, Ind. 



