THE COUNTRY OF THE SHEPHERDS 57 



frost actually stood on the young corn, which led us to speculate 

 on the possibility of securing from Salamanca a variety of maize 

 that is more nearly resistant to light frosts than any now grown 

 in the United States. In the endless and largely unconscious ex- 

 perimentation of these folk perched on the valley walls a result 

 may have been achieved ahead of that yet reached by our pro- 

 fessional experimenters. Certain it is that nowhere else in the 

 world has the potato been grown under such severe climatic con- 

 ditions as in its native land of Peru and Bolivia. The hardiest 

 varieties lack many qualities that we prize. They are small and 

 bitter. But at least they will grow where all except very few 

 cultivated plants fail, and they are edible. Could they not be im- 

 ported into Canada to push still farther northward the limits of 

 cultivation? Potatoes are now grown at Forts Good Hope and 

 McPherson in the lower Mackenzie basin. Would not the hardiest 

 Peruvian varieties grow at least as far north as the continental 

 timber line? I believe they could be grown still farther north. 

 They will endure repeated frosts. They need scarcely any cultiva- 

 tion. Prepared in the Peruvian manner, as chuno, they could be 

 kept all winter. Being light, the meal derived from them could 

 be easily packed by hunters and prospectors. An Indian will carry 

 in a pouch enough to last him a week. Why not use it north of 

 the continental limit of other cultivated plants since it is the 

 pioneer above the frost line on the Peruvian mountains? 



The relation between farmer and shepherd or herdsman grows 

 more complex where deeper valleys interrupt the highlands and 

 mountains. The accompanying sketch, Fig. 32, represents typical 

 relations, though based chiefly on the Apurimac canyon and its 

 surroundings near Pasaje. First there is the snow-clad region at 

 the top of the country. Below it are grassy slopes, the homes of 

 mountain shepherds, or rugged mountain country unsuited for 

 grazing. Still lower there is woodland, in patches chiefly, but with 

 a few large continuous tracts. The shady sides of the ravines and 

 the mountains have the most moisture, hence bear the densest 

 growths. Finally, the high country terminates in a second belt 

 of pasture below the woodland. 



