23 [26] 
in New Mexico, T doubt very much if even canoes could be used, except 
-perhaps during May or June, when the river is in He highest state, from 
the melting of the snow in the mountains. The river is entirely too shal- 
ee a interrupted by too many sand bars, to roliiae anything for aa 
/ On the southern portion of the river the recent exploration yy 
Gsitaid Sterling, of the United States steamer |] ah Brown, has proved 
that steainboats may ascend from the gulf as far as Laredo, a distance of 
700 miles. “Although sri steamboat did not Ani over two Fes of water, 
“yet the explorers of that ¥ gion express their opinion, that “ by eine 
‘some $100,000 in a pipiens improvement of the river above Mier, boats | 
“ing tee feet sa readily ny between the mouth of the Rio Grande 
a! never a closer connexion between this headpoit 
nation and’ New Mexico shall be considered, nothing would answer but a 
railroad, crossing from re valley of the Rio Grande to the high table land 
in'the State of Chihta 
The soil in the walle of the Rio del Norte, i in New Mexico, is generally 
sandy and looks poor, but by irrigation it pi abundant crops. 
ough agriculture is carried on ina very primitive way, with the hoe 
alone, or with a rough plough, made often auNitely of wood, without any 
particle of iron, they raise large quantities, of Indian corn and wh 
ans, onions, red peppers, and same fruits. The most fertile part of tie 
tse begins bls Santa Fe, along the river; and is called “ no abajo,”’ 
or (the country) down the river. It is not uncommon there to raise two 
crops within one year. ‘I'he general dryness of the climate, and the arid- 
ity of the soil in New Mexico, will alw ways ¢ confine agriculture to the valleys 
0 the water courses, which are as rare as over all Mexico—such, at least, as 
the. high table-land from Santa Fe south, that ina certain depth layers of 
clay are found, that may form reservoirs of the sunken water-courses from 
i€ eastern and western jee i chain, which * the epee method of 
might bé changed Fl ite tea deserts into cultiv 
ene? "Bate at et, “frrigation from a water-course is the only aval 
means of carrying on sericulture. The irrigation is effected by dam- 
Ming the streams and thro owing the water into larger and smaller ditches 
(acéquias) surrounding and mtersecting the whole cultivated land. 'The 
inhabitants of towns and villages, therefore, tbelitg their lands together, and 
allot to each one a part of the water at certain periods. These common fields 
‘are eonefally without fences, which are’ les s needed, as the grazing stock 
‘is guarded by herdsmen. The finest fields are generally seen on the hact- 
endas: or iste estates, belonging to ‘the Ti ich property holders i in New 
‘Mexico. ‘These haciendas are appare ntly a remnant of the o ul 
system, where large een - Pat with the eee at, of Indian | in- 
habitants as serfs, were granted by the Spanish crown to thei assals. ‘The 
‘great number of human Beinps attached to these citrus He int fact 
‘nothing more than serfs; they receive from their: ea S only toe 
a and clothing, or perhaps a mere nominal p Stanteeen 
nstant debt “and dependence to their landlo ds; tha it d custom 
sesh indolence did not prevail upon them to stay with their 
