THE AWAKENING OF NEW MEXICO 



try shall bo fully developed, will bo obtained by storage 

 and from underground sources. This process has al- 

 ready begun, but its operations will be much extended. 

 Scattered all over the territory arc the petty ditches of 

 that numerous Mexican and Indian population which 

 lives in serene peace and comfort upon the fruits of its 

 unambitious efforts at tilling the soil. 



The important streams are the San Juan in the north- 

 western corner of the Territory, the Eio Grande, which 

 flows through the central portion from Colorado to Mex- 

 ico, and the Rio Pecos in the southeast. These streams 

 and their tributaries furnish the basis of the modern ir- 

 rigation industry of New Mexico. 



The northwestern part of the Territory is a pictu- 

 resque and promising region, fortunate alike in mineral 

 and water resources, in the fertility of its soil, and the 

 charm of its climate. A number of small irrigation 

 systems have been constructed, but storage will be re- 

 quired before the opportunities of the district can be ex- 

 tensively realized. The rivers are the San Juan and its 

 tributaries, the most important of these being tho Pine, 

 the Animas, and the La Plata. When these are fully 

 utilized, thousands of small farmers will be able to estab- 

 lish profitable industries, including the culture of finely 

 flavored, delicate fruits. They will find home markets 

 in surrounding mining camps and in supplying feed for 

 sheep and cattle which range upon the public pastures. 

 Although this portion of the Territory is now remote 

 from the main lines of railroad travel, its superior advan- 

 tages must attract the attention of enterprise and im- 

 migrants in the future and make it one of the most 

 prosperous parts of the future State. 



229 



