30 



CLIMATE — ON THE SUPPLY OP WATER. 



Section 2. CLIMATE. 



The climate of the interior section is delightful throughout the year ; its seasons are 

 two, the dry and the rainy — the former corresponding to our autumn, winter, and spring, while 

 the rains occur during the summer months. This arrangement is just the reverse of what 

 ohtains in California. The air of the winter months is elastic and hracing, while the rains 

 temper the heat of midsummer. The temperature along the lower Gila is intense during the 

 summer months. The thermometer, in camp, near its mouth, indicated a mean temjierature 

 for June, 1855, 91°. 1, the maximum being 106. °2 ; and at the Maricopa wells, for four and a 

 half days (June 28 to July 1st) the mean temperature was 98°. 8, the maximum being 112°. 

 Below the Pimas villages, on July 2, the mean temperature was 107°. 9, the maximum being 

 112°. On the day of our arrival at Fort Yuma, the thermometer at the fort indicated 119°; the 

 greatest degree of heat is felt while traversing the western slope, hut it is very sensibly reduced 

 as soon as the plateau is ascended. During the reconnaissance of 1854 the thermometer stood 

 below the freezing point at Tucson, Kio San Pedro, Valle del Sauz, and at the Kio Mimbres ; 

 and at the same points, at 3 or 4 p. m., it stood, respectively, 65°, 68°, 78°, 61°. While in 

 camp, at nearly the same localities, during the months of July and August, it ranged at sunrise 

 as follows : 57°. 5, 68°. 5, and at 3 p. m. 100°, 98°. 5, and about 96°. 



When we take into consideration the construction, maintenance, and after-working of a rail- 

 road, the climate is favorable ; for working parties can remain in the field throughout the year, 

 and the daily evolutions of the train will never be interrupted by snow or ice. The above indica- 

 tions of temperature for the summer season may seem to refute the assertion with regard to 

 working parties being employed throughout the year, but it should be borne in mind that, on 

 these elevated plateaus, the atmosphere is remarkably dry ; the difference between the wet and 

 dry bulb thermometer often indicating more than 30°, and consequently one never feels that 

 sultriness which so often accompanies high temperatures in the Mississippi valley and on the 

 Atlantic slope. The exhilerating effect of a New Mexican climate is duly attested by almost 

 every person who has experienced it from their often expressed anxiety to return to that region. 



Section 3. WATER. 



The supply of water upon the plateau is limited. Along and near the proposed line 

 it is found at the following localities, and from these the working parties can be supplied : 



At Neide's spring, at the southwest corner of the basaltic hills, east of Cooke's spring; Cooke's 

 spring ; Kio Mimbres ; Agua Fria ; Ojo de la Vacca ; Ojo de Inez ; Valle del Sauz ; in the 

 Puerto del Dado ; Croton springs at the Playa de los Pimas ; Castro spring, near the Railroad 

 Pass under Mount Graham ; Pheasant creek ; Antelope and Dove springs at the base of the 

 Calitro mountains ; and at Bear springs at the head of the Aravaypa. The distances, in direct 

 lines, from one of these localities to another, are as follows : 



Miles. 



From the Eio Grande to Neide's spring... 40 



From Neide's spring to Cooke's spring... 12 



From Cooke's spring to Eio Mimbres 21 



From Eio Mimbres to Agua Fria 15 



From Agua Fria to Ojo de la Vacca 6 



From Ojo de la Vacca to Ojo de Inez 12 



From Ojo de Inez to Valle del Sauz 40 



From Valle del Sauz to Puerto del Dado.. 23 



Miles 

 From Puerto del Dado to Castro spring... 3 ■ 

 From Puerto del Dado to Croton springs. 30 



From Castro spring to Croton si)rings 18 



From Croton springs to Pheasant creek.. 12 

 From Pheasant creek to Antelope spring. 3 



From Antelope spring to Dove spring 2^ 



From Dove spring to Bear spring 16 



