100 HORTICULTURE 



of a "principal," named yearly for the purpose. The whole body 

 of water in ordinary times occupies only a channel about four feet 

 in width, by sixteen inches deep, and runs with a very moderate 

 current, so that it is astonishing to see the effects it is made to pro- 

 duce; three hours weekly of the twentieth part of this streamlet 

 is called a " particion," and is barelys ufficient for about two acres, 

 which seems to have been the extent of the original divisions. 



Where water is so precious, of course great care is. taken in 

 applying it in the most economical manner ; the ground is divided 

 into a series of squares, of six or eight yards on the side, by ridges 

 of earth thrown up between them, sufficiently thick to resist the 

 water, and to serve as footpaths or alleys ; these communicate 

 with each other, and are successively filled with water to the 

 depth considered necessary ; or ridges are thrown up in parallel 

 lines, through which the water flows in a zig-zag dii'ectiou, until 

 all is sufficiently moistened. 



The staple productions of the valley are " Alfalfa " or Lucerne, 

 and " Mais " or Indian Corn ; the first for the support of the large 

 gangs of mules, and the last forming an important item in the 

 food of the people. 



When Alfalfa is to be sown, the preparation made for it is 

 scratching the soil to about the depth of six inches, with a plough 

 formed of the trunk of a crooked tree, and drawn by a pair of oxen ; 

 the ground is then divided into " eras," or squares, by the "lampa," 

 a heavy, ill formed, concave shovel, made in the country, and the 

 only implement besides the plough they ever use ; the surface of 

 the beds is then levelled, they are watered on next watering day, 

 and sown, as thickly as we sow Cresses at home, in a few days 

 after, the seed being covered in by dragging a branch over the 

 surface. In the course of two months the Lucerne is fit for 

 cutting ; an operation ingeniously and elegantly perfoi'med by 

 means of a " cuchuna," or the blade of a common table knife, tied 

 at right angles into the end of a slit piece of wood, the operator 

 meanwhile being on his knees. Shortly after cutting the gi'ound 

 is again irrigated, and thus alternately cutting and watering the 

 plant retains its vigour for years, giving, when well attended to, 

 eight or nine crops annuall}', and this without manure of any kind 

 except a slight powdering of guano every second year. 



After the Lucerne, in point of importance, comes the Indian 

 Corn. For this crop the ground is formed into ridges with the 

 lampa, and the seeds flung into holes, six or eight in each, at the 

 distance of fifteen inches, and covered in whh the foot, the usual 



