498 BUFFALO LAND. 



portion of the Rio Pecos Valley and the Canadian bottoms are 

 probably the best portions of the Territory for this cereal. 



"Apples will grow from the Taos Valley south, but peaches 

 can not be raised to any advantage north of Bernalillo, in the 

 central section ; but it is likely they would do well along some 

 of the tributaries and main valley of the Canadian River. 

 They also appear to grow well and produce fruit without irri- 

 gation in the Zuni country; and the valley o*the Mimbres is 

 also adapted to their culture. Apricots and plums grow wher- 

 ever apples or peaches can be raised. I neglected to obtain any 

 information in regard to pears, but, judging from the similarity 

 of soil and climate here to that of Utah and California, where 

 this fruit grows to perfection, I suppose that in the central and 

 southern portions it would do well. 



" The grape will probably be the chief, or at least the most 

 profitable, product of the soil. The soil and climate appear to 

 be peculiarly adapted for its growth, and the probability is that, 

 as a grape-growing and wine-producing section, it will be second 

 only to California, From Col. McClure I learned that the 

 amount of wine made in 1867 was about forty thousand gallons, 

 and that the crop of 1869 would probably reach one hundred 

 thousand gallons. I have not been informed since whether his 

 estimate was verified or not. A good many vineyards were 

 planted in 1869 at least double the number of 1868. Several 

 Americans, anticipating the building of a railroad through that 

 section, have engaged in this branch of agriculture. The wine 

 that is made here is said to be of an excellent quality. 



" Beets here, as in Colorado, grow to an enormous size, and 

 it is quite likely that the sugar beet would not only yield heavy 

 crops, but also contain a large per cent, of saccharine matter. 

 I am rather inclined to believe that soil which is impregnated 



