64 THE OASES OF THE NORTH-WEST 



it forms a thick carpet under the brushwood, but in 

 other places it is poor and there is nothing but the leaves 

 and pods of the algarroba. If the herd is too large, 

 the grass will not grow again ; the breeder recognizes 

 at a glance the campo recargado the field which has 

 had its capacity overstrained. The pasture has to be 

 carefully nursed. But the most urgent problem is to 

 get a supply of water for the cattle. Round the Sierra 

 the underground water is often fresh, and there are 

 plenty of wells. Still, in order to avoid having to 

 draw the water, they dig large trenches at suitable 

 spots in the clay, and round these they arrange the 

 earth that has been dug out, with an opening toward 

 the hills to catch the water when it is raining. These 

 are the represas. As in the case of the banados, ridges 

 of earth direct the stream to the represa. It is sur- 

 rounded by a hedge as carefully as the field is. On 

 the plain rain is rare, and the represas are usually the 

 only reserve. They have to last the whole year ; 

 even two years if there is a particularly dry summer 

 that prevents re-filling. Thus they become sometimes 

 veritable lakes. From a distance you can see, above 

 the top of the brushwood, the bald curve of the mound 

 of beaten earth which encircles them. The water 

 flows over it when there has been much rain. The 

 mound is sometimes 4^ to 5| yards high ; as it is at 

 Tello, between the Sierra d'Ulapes and the Sierra de 

 los Llanos, where the San Juan coach used to change 

 horses. 



The represa is the real centre of the estate. The 

 house is built near it, and guards the entrance. From 

 early morning until dusk the cattle come to it, singly 

 or in groups. The rancher admits them, lets them 

 drink, and closes the gate behind them. If the thirsty 

 cattle have not his mark and belong to a neighbour, 

 he sends them to drink at their own represa ; but 

 he gives water to lost beasts, from a distance, whose 

 owner will presently come for them. Near the represa 



