546 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICULTURE. 
favored that timber is found in abundance, or in any way approaching a forest, as in 
the ranges mentioned. 
Very few of the streams, draining the mountains where timber is found, are perma- 
nent; if they were, the want of trees and vegetation in general would not be so 
noticeable, especially in the south here. No streams appear to drain the Burro Mount- 
ains, but arreyes aford escape for water in all directions, probably reaching the Gila 
River on the west, and losing themselves in the ground on the east and southeast, the 
trend of the country being toward Mexico. 
The Mogollons are drained by small streams running into the Gila on the weet, and 
perhaps into the Miembres River east and southeast. 
The Miembres and San Mateo Mountains are drained by numerous creeks, called 
“‘rios,” which flow east into the Rio Grande, the land descendingrapidly toward that 
river. The Sacramento group is drained by several small streams flowing east into 
the Pecos River. Taking certain places, of which the barometric elevation is known, 
as guides, I judge the timber-lands or forests above enumerated are situated above 
4,000 feet from sea-level, and the best perhaps between 5,000 and &,000 feet altitude. 
In New Mexico the rains are periodic, occurring generally during the summer 
months, and late in September. Most rain falls in the mountains, as it is offen per- 
ceived to rain there when none was falling on plains or near the rivers below 4,500 feet. 
Lam unable to state the annual quantity for any year, no records of observations being 
on hand. 
Saw-mills are located in the best districts. The scarcity of wood and water are 
perhaps the greatest difficulties to overcome in Southern New Mexico, and that, I 
should think, clearly indicates the absence of any forests, excepting in remote locali- 
ties, or in the mountains away from inhabited towns.” 
FORT WINGATE. 
Jd. V. LAUDERDALE, assistant surgeon, U. 5. A., says: 
This reservation is ten miles square, and lies partly on a northerly spur of the Zuni 
Mountains, and extends along the Rio Puerco, which drains the valley known as 
Campbell’s Pass. <A correct topographical map of this reservation, made by-order of 
General George W. Getty, and surveyed by Capt. Jobn Rizha, U.S. A., a copy of which 
isin the office of the post adjutant, exhibits the features of this reservation, and shows 
the forest area, and the lines of drainage. The post of Fort Wingate, N. M., is situated 
in latitude 35° 30’ north, and longitude 108° 32’ west, and its elevation above the sea, 
as determined barometrically by the engineer of the Kansas Pacific Railroad survey 
is 6,649 feet. The amount of rainfall for the years 1875 and 1876 has averaged 11.18 
inches. 
The water from the mountain-side, which forms running brooks when it rains, and 
that from the several springs at its base, flow into the Puerco, but insufiicient in quan- 
tity to sustain a running stream throughout the year or support a growth of trees 
along its banks. About one-half the reservation is comparatively treeless. A stunted 
growth of cedar (Juniperas Virginiana) covers the mesas and foot-hills of the Zuni 
Mountain. Tho dead and dry wood cf this tree is collected for fuel. The pifion 
(Pintis edulis) is also quite abundant on the mesas and foot-hills, and is better for fuel 
than cedar. It attains the height of twenty feet, and is regarded with favor by the 
Indians for its sweet and edible nut. No attempts have been made to prow the tree 
near here, but I am confident that it could be readily cultivaied. Prof. H. L. Kindrick, 
at West Point Academy, sent to me more than a year ago tor some of ithe nuts, witha 
view to propagating the tree at the east. The wood is exccllent for fuel, and the tree 
would be suitable for shade, but it is wholly unfit for lumber or building purposes. 
The yellow pine (Pinés brachypiera) is found in abundance along the summits and 
southerly slopes and parks of the 4uni Mountain. This tree reaches the height of one 
hundred and twenty feet, and is from two to three feet in diameter at the base. It is 
cut for timber and is found to be very durable for building purposes, but boards made 
of it are better for being painted when used for outside work. 3 is too soft for posts 
or railroad-ties. 
There may be seen scattered here and there, clumps of small white oak which bear 
asweet acorn. Ons variety of oak reaches the height of thirty feet, and its wood is 
suitable for fence-posts. In the sheltered cafions we find specimens of the aspen 
(Populus tremuloides), also the willow-leaved poplar, which iast I have found an ex- 
cellent shade tree. It bears transplanting well, but requires irrigation. It grows 
well when set near a water-course. 
Of the willow family the basket osier is the most frequently seen about this post. 
The above is a list of the characteristic forest trees that are to be found upon this 
military reservation. 
