GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 209 



As a general thing the soil is sandy and looks poor and sterile, giving 

 an impression of extreme barrenness, which it is difficult to remove until 

 the effect of irrigation and cultivation is seeu. But the general state- 

 ment made in the introduction respecting the soil in the Eocky Moun- 

 tain region holds good here, for wherever sufficient water can be applied 

 the soil will prove fertile. 



The best estimate I can make of the arable area of the Territory is 

 about as follows : in the Bio Grande district, one-twentieth, or about 

 two thousand eight hundred square miles ; in the strip along the west- 

 ern border, one-fiftieth, or about six hundred square miles ; in the north- 

 eastern triangle, watered by the Canadian Eiver, one-fifteenth, or about 

 one thousand four hundred square miles. This calculation excludes the 

 " Staked Plains," and amounts in the aggregate to four thousand eight 

 hundred square miles, or nearly two million nine hundred thousand 

 acres. This, I am aware, is larger than any previous estimate that I 

 have seen, but when the country is penetrated by one or two railroads, 

 and a more enterprising agricultural population is introduced, the fact 

 will soon be developed that many portions now considered beyond the 

 reach of irrigation will be reclaimed. I do not found this estimate 

 wholly upon the observations made in the small portions I have visited, 

 but in addition thereto I have carefully examined the various reports 

 made upon special sections, and have obtained all the information I 

 could from intelligent persons who have resided in the Territory for a 

 number of years. 



As the Territory includes in its bounds some portions of the Eocky 

 Mountain range on which snow remains for a great part of the year, 

 and also a semi-tropical region along its southern boundry, there is, of 

 necessity, a wide difference in the extremes of temperature. But with 

 the exception of the cold seasons of the higher lands at the north, it is 

 temperate and regular. The summer days in the lower valleys are 

 sometimes quite warm, but as the dry atmosphere rapidly absorbs the 

 perspiration of the body, it prevents the debilitating effect experienced 

 where the air is heavier and more saturated with moisture. The nights 

 are cool and refreshing. The winters, except in the mountainous por- 

 tions at the north, are moderate, but the difference between the north- 

 ern and southern sections during this season is greater than during the 

 summer. The amount of snow that falls is light and seldom remains 

 on the ground longer than a few hours. The rains principally fall dur- 

 ing the months of July, August, and September, but the annual amount 

 is small, seldom exceeding a few inches. When there are heavy snows 

 in the mountains during the winter, there will be good crops the follow- 

 ing summer, the supply of water being more abundant, and the quan- 

 tity of sediment carried down greater than when the snows are light. 

 Good crops appear to come in cycles, three or four following in succes- 

 sion, then one or two inferior ones. During the autumn months the 

 wind is disagreeable in some places, especially near the openings between . 

 high ridges, and at the termini of or passes through mountain ranges. 

 There is, perhaps, no healthier section of country to be found in the 

 United States than that embraced in the boundaries of Colorado and 

 New Mexico. In fact, I think I am justified in saying that this area 

 includes the healthiest portion of the Union. Perhaps it is not improper 

 for me to say that I have no personal ends to serve in making this state- 

 ment, not having one dollar invested in either of these Territories in 

 any way whatever. I make it simply because I believe it to be true. 

 Nor would I wish to be understood as contrasting with other sections; 

 of the Eocky Mountain region, only so far as these Territories have the 

 14 G 



