174 OBSERVATIONS OF A RANCHWOMAN 



New Mexico, for instance, the settler will 

 find the following rate of wages, or one 

 approximate thereto, prevailing : If a com- 

 petent white man can be found a doubtful 

 prospect, despite the hordes of unemployed 

 on the tramp, said to be thirsting for work 

 the wages asked will not be less than ^"5 or 

 6 per month. A competent Mexican a 

 veritable white crow demands scarcely, if 

 any, less. To a Mexican hired by the day, 

 33. to 45. will have to be paid. Of the native 

 capacity for work, enough has already been 

 said. A sefiora or senorita considers herself 

 entitled to 45. a day, and from 2 to about 

 $ IDS. a month ; furthermore, it must be 

 noted that the native lady who can cook, or 

 even desires to acquire the art of cookery, is 

 another white crow. A white carpenter, the 

 efficiency of whose work is not included in 

 the bargain, receives i6s. a day. 



Now, the above can hardly be considered 

 starvation wages ; indeed, wholly out of pro- 

 portion as they are to the cost of living, it is 

 not unfair to inquire whether the high rate 

 of wages in the Far West, where the large 

 majority of the employers of individual labour 



