266 AGUA PRIETA TO 
upon the green fertile valley spread at his feet. Fron- 
teras, like most of the military colonies, fell into decay, 
chiefly from the neglect of the central government to 
properly provide for the soldiery, in consequence of 
which, the inhabitants were left without protection 
from the attacks of the savages. Tosuch an extent did 
the place suffer from the incursions of the Apaches, 
who killed off the herdsmen, drove the cultivators from 
the fields, and took captive the women and children, 
that about three years ago it was entirely abandoned. 
Within six months General Carrasco has re-established 
the colony, a new population, including many of its 
former inhabitants, have taken possession, and in many 
respects it appears like an old settled town. Acequias 
have also been opened, large fields of wheat and corn 
_ cover the beautiful valley, numerous cattle graze on 
the meadows, and the importance which the place 
once enjoyed seems about to return. 
Fronteras is supported by a valley two miles in 
width, which we entered about six miles from the town. 
This space of arable land, limited as it is, is said to be 
one of the largest and best inSonora. The soil is ex- 
ceedingly rich, and is capable of producing abundant 
crops of maize and wheat (the only cereals cultivated), 
fruits of various sorts, and, with pains, every kind of 
vegetables. But here, as in all other parts of Mexico © 
that I have seen, this species of culture is but little 
attendedto. Beans, pumpkins, and onions are raised, 
it is true, but all other vegetables are unknown. 
A small stream passes by Fronteras, which, although 
called a river, would scarcely be characterized as a 
reek in the United States; but all the streams here are 
