144 SURVEY OF COLORADO AND NEW MEXICO. 



timates the average yield at twent^^-eiglit bushels per acre. In this es- 

 timate, the absolute return when measured is the criterion, no allowance 

 being made for bad culture, losses, &c. From a careful examination of 

 his figures, and his method of obtaining the data upon which they are 

 founded, as well as from the personal inquiries I have made while pass- 

 ing through the territory, I am satisfied he does not exceed the true 

 average, but rather falls below it. Where proper care is given to this 

 cereal, and it reaches maturitj^ without serious damage from the destruc- 

 tive grasshopper, or other agency, a yield of thirty-five bushels per acre 

 may be expected. 



From his report for that year, which has already been forwarded to 

 the Commissioner of Agriculture, in connection with a short rej^ort on 

 the agriculture of the northern section of Colorado, it appears that the 

 wheat returns from the various valleys of Eastern Colorado foot up (in- 

 cluding estimates of the valleys omitted) nearlj^ thirty-five thousand 

 bushels. At an average of twenty-eight bushels, this shows that about 

 twelve thousand five hundred acres were sown in wheat in 1868. If any 

 statistics for 1869 are brought out by the present fair, I will trj to ob- 

 tain them in time to append them to this report. Most of this wheat 

 has been grown on the creek bottoms, yet I have no doubt but that the 

 ridges, or uplands, within reach of irrigation, will yield as heavy crops 

 as the bottoms, and, as shown by exj)erience as well as theory, would 

 ripen some eight or ten days earlier. 



All the varieties which have been tried appear to grow well and to 

 bring out their several peculiarities. But those chiefly sown are the 

 Chile, Siberian, White Sonora, Blue Stem, Canada Club, and Egyptian or 

 Seven-head. The White Sonora is most prized on account of the beau- 

 tiful white flour it makes, and its heavy yield, though it does not weigh 

 as much to the bushel as some other varieties. In New Mexico, the 

 Mexicans have but two varieties, the "areno bianco" or white wheat, 

 and "areno nigra" or black wheat; the white wheat corres])onding 

 very nearly with the White Sonora. The measured bushel of Colorado 

 wheat, if well cleaned, will weigh from sixty-two to sixty-four pounds as 

 an average. But in comparing this wheat with that of the States, it 

 must be remembered that the grain is perfectly dry, having been raised 

 by irrigation, and as a matter of course having received no moistirre on 

 the ear. In this respect it corresponds with the California wheat, re- 

 quiring to be moistened before grinding. Therefore a given bulk or 

 weight of this wheat will yield more flour than the same bulk or Aveight 

 of wheat from the States. 



I think I am justified in saying that no part of the Union can pro- 

 duce better flour than Eastern Colorado, in respect to its clear, i^early 

 whiteness, richness in gluten, and ease with which it is converted into 

 bread ; and, like the flour of the Pacific Coast, it will doubtless bear 

 transportation to any part of the world without damage from climatic 

 influences. 



As the expedition happened to pass through the Territory during 

 harvest, I had a very good opportunity of comparing the information I 

 had received with the appearance of the wheat crop of the present year, 

 from which I am satisfied the statements I have received are not exag- 

 gerated. 



The wheat crop, so far as I have seen it, is very good, and I sui)pose 

 will be one of the lieaviest ever known in the Territory, and this is also 

 true of the part of New Mexico through which we passed. 



Although irrigation has some advantages, as that of removing fear of 

 drought, yet it also has its disadvantages, one of which is, that it does 



