SUGAR-CANE CULTURE. 147 
rivers I have named, but it thrives most luxuriantly in the 
Yaqui, Mayo, and Fuerte bottoms. It is sown every third, 
fourth, or fifth year, in January or February, and is cut down 
for sugar every year, in the winter season. The Yaqui and 
Mayo country is inhabited by two closely-allied tribes of 
Indians, from whom the rivers have derived their names. 
They are the most industrious people in the State, and are 
not by nature warlike. In every town, on every farm, and 
in many of the mines, they are to be found working diligently 
for hire ; but as they are particularly devoted to agriculture, 
higher wages is demanded for any other employment. They 
are tall and athletic, very dark in colour, with a fine 
expression of countenance. Treaties are held sacred by them, 
nor have they ever been known to resort to arms, unless 
goaded on by the cruelty of the Spaniards or Mexicans. 
Never having had any instruction in agriculture, their own 
lands—the most productive in the State—are very poorly 
tilled; and as the rivers are rapid, and the banks for the 
most part high, irrigation has not been made use of by them 
as by the Pimas on the Gila, but they have confined their 
labours to the lowest strips of bottom-land which are subject 
to overflow, and to stock-farming. Their horses, horned 
cattle, and sheep, are reported to be far superior to any 
others in the State. Such cultivation even as these Indians 
have had recourse to, proves conclusively that the land is 
productive in the highest degree ; and when we consider that 
frost on the Yaqui is rare and unknown southward, and that 
the Pacific coast is in close proximity, there is every reason 
to expect that rice and coffee will grow well there—for both 
flourish in Sinaloa—and that capital would rapidly develop 
these regions were not property rendered by bad government 
so insecure. 
L 2 
