136 



about 3,000 feet and merges with soils representing typical out- 

 wash formed by the erosion of the mountains. 



Apparently the valley was originally more or less completely 

 wooded. At the present time all but about 1.500 acres of the vega 

 land is cleared. About 75 percent of the plateau-like bench, how- 



A large Ccrciis is common in the semi-arid plateau region. 



ever, remains wooded. Here and there on the bench occur cleared, 

 oasis-like areas usually adjacent to old stream beds which are 

 largely planted with grass for pastures as is also a large part of 

 the vega land. During the rainy season corn and beans may also 

 be grown there and, with the aid of irrigation, large banana planta- 

 tions have been developed. 



