44G Transactions of the American Institute. 



inestimable improvement to the energy and pluck of Captain Jack 

 Martin, the present proprietor. During the two years in which he 

 was engaged sinking the well, except in rainy seasons, he hauled water 

 from Fort McRae, eighteen miles distant, to supply the wants of his 

 workman and travelers. This success of Captain Martin demonstrates 

 that all this vast meadow can he made available for stock raising. 

 During tire winter months the present custom is to drive the herd up 

 the mountain sides, partially covered with snow, which melting in the 

 hot sunshine of midday supplies the sheep with an abundance of 

 water. This naturally inclement season is passed by both sheep and 

 herders very comfortably. The herders not being required to follow 

 or drive the herd miles away for water, build themselves a wigwam 

 of poles and brush, in which they may abide for months at a time ; 

 while the sheep; in case of a sudden " spell of weather," can find 

 ample protection under ledges of rock or in close ravines. " Sudden 

 spells of weather " in New Mexico do not mean what they call in 

 Texas a " norther." Storms are mostly prevalent in the hot months 

 or during the rainy season. Except on the mountains, snow rarely 

 lies more than twenty-four hours. (I am not speaking of elevated 

 regions, such as Santa Fe.) In the months of February and March 

 high winds prevail, which, on account of the sand, are more disagree- 

 able than inclement. At this point, during the months of October 

 and November of last year, there were nights in which small ponds 

 of still water were frozen over half an inch thick, but throughout 

 December no ice of any consequence has been formed. The following 

 table shows the mean temperature of the months of December, January, 

 February and March, taken at the hospital of Fort McRae, New Mexico. 



Observations taken at 7 A. M., 2 P. JL, and 9 P. 11., by Dr. W. B. 

 Lyon, A. A. Surgeon United States Army. 



D. M. 



December, 1SG8 38 Si 



January, 18G9 36 95 



February, 1869 43 69 



March, 1869 51 73 



December, 1869 36 39 



January, 1870 37 53 



February, 1870 47 75 



March, 1870 48 35 



December, 1870 34 56 



January, 1871 Instrument broken. 



February, 1S71 41 40 



March, 1871 52 69 



December, 1871, not yet averaged — about forty-one degrees. 



