20 BOTANY. 
restraining force was required. It is known to be especially adapted to 
this end, as is shown by actual trial on a large scale in an area further 
north, but almost as dry. From Albuquerque across to Fort Wingate, 
which is about one hundred miles and north of west, the face of the country 
hardly improves. It is in the main a poorly watered, poorly timbered 
region, with an altitude ranging between 5,100 feet and 7,000 feet. Here 
and there a good spring oceurs, or an occasional small stream puts ina 
hesitating appearance—to rise to the surface, or sink below it, no one can 
tell how often, before it strikes a larger main channel Until we reach 
McArthy’s ranch, west of Cuero, agriculture is out of the question. Small 
bands of sheep may, and do find a living in the country adjacent the springs 
_and water-courses. From McArthy’s ranch on to Wingate, the country 
slowly improves, and in many places along the road, ground under culti- 
vation testified to the capacity of the soil for production of the cereals. 
The water is more or less alkaline, and some of the strongest springs are 
notably so. In many of the spots (where in certain seasons the ground is 
_ wet and then dries up), we found the usual saline efflorescences covering 
the surface. Such places always had a more or less dense covering of the 
so-called salt-grass of the West (Brizopyrum spicatum). This was eaten 
by the burros, but neither horses nor mules could be induced to touch it, 
except in instances of absolute want, and then it appeared to be not only 
innutritious, but after a time absolutely hurtful. 
The western slope of the Valley of the Rio Grande from the northern 
end of the Black Mesa leads upward into an elevated region, the lower por- 
tions of which are cut up into tableland, i. e. mesas, separated by almost 
impassable cafions. Over these mesas, grass in moderate quantity is found. 
Gaining elevation, however, as one goes west, the surface of the country 
changes; at 7,000 feet, it becomes mountainous. The timbered ridges have 
well watered and grassy valleys between them. This continues southward 
as far as Nacimiento. Here a change comes over the landscape, and thence 
south to San Mateo we have to all intents and purposes a desert country. 
At San Mateo, this more western strip joins on to the somewhat improved 
belt of country I have described as commencing at McArthy’s ranch, 
and the two proceed southward, gradually improving, until at about 7,000 
