STEVENSON] 



ARTS AND INDUSTRIES 



353 



The Zufiis aim to keep a years supply of grain on hand untouched 

 to provide against faihire of crops. They have learned this lesson 

 from experience. Starvation has sometimes compelled them to seek 

 relief from otluu- pueblos. Xeio-hhoring tribes have also sought aid 

 from the Zufiis for the same reason. 



Onions, chillis, a species of amarantus (used for imparting a red color 

 to the wafer bread «), and a variety of herbs used as condiments are 

 raised exclusively by the women in little gardens in the farming dis- 

 tricts and at Zufii. In Zuni these gardens, which are i)rotected by 

 adobe walls, are at the southern edge of the village on the river front. 

 The energetic little women may be seen at daybreak carrving vases of 



Fig. 23— a storatre room. 



water from the river and watering their gardens, which re([uin> con- 

 stant care in order that they may not be parched by the burning sun. 

 Watermelons, muskmelons, beans, onions, and chillis, which are 

 raised in great abundance, are grown not only for summer consump- 

 tion, but are preserved for winter use. The watermelons and onions 

 are laid away in the storage rooms without preparation; the nuisk- 

 melons are seeded from the end, pared, and hung on crotches of low trees 

 which are found at the farming districts. S(iuash is cut into long 

 strips, as one would pare an apple, formed into hanks, and dried in 

 the sun. Chillis, which are gathered when red, are strung together 

 and hung on the outer walls to dry. The brilliant red against the 

 somber adobe wall gives a pleasant bit of contrasting color. AH edible 



a This red coloring is rarely used l)y tlie Zufiis; it is the Hupis wlio glory in brilliant red bread. 

 28 KTH— 04 23 



