GEOLOGICAL SURVEY OF THE TERRITORIES. 211 



valley of the Canadian Biver. They also appear to grow well and pro- 

 duce fruit without irrigation in the Zuni country ; and the valley of the 

 Minibres is also adapted to their culture. Apricots and plums grow 

 wherever apples or peaches can he raised. I neglected to obtain any 

 information in regard to pears, but judging from the similarity of soil 

 and climate here to that of Utah and California, where this fruit grows 

 to perfection, I suppose that in the central and southern portions 

 it would do well. The grape will probably be the chief or at least 

 the most profitable product of the soil. The soil and climate appear 

 to be peculiarly adapted to its growth, and the probability is that as 

 a grape-growing and wine-producing section it will be second only to 

 California. From Colonel McClure I learned that the amount of wine 

 made in 1867 was about forty thousand gallons, and that the crop of I860 

 would probably reach one hundred thousand gallons ; 1 have not been 

 informed since whether his estimate was verified or not. A good many 

 vineyards were planted in 1869, at least double the number of 1SJ8. 

 Several Americans, anticipating the building of a railroad through that 

 section, have engaged in this branch of agriculture. The wine that is 

 made here is said to be of an excellent quality. 



Beets here, as in Colorado, grow to an enormous size, and it is quite 

 likely that the sugar beet would not only yield heavy crops, but also con- 

 tain a large per cent, of saccharine matter. I am rather inclined to believe 

 that soil which is impregnated with alkaline matter will favor the pro- 

 duction of the saccharine principle. I base this opinion wholly on ob- 

 servations made in Utah in regard to its effect on fruit, therefore experi- 

 ments may prove that I am wholly mistaken. It is possible the experi- 

 ment has been tried ; if so, I am not aware of it. 



The Irish potatoes are inferior to those raised farther north. Cab- 

 bages grow large and fine. Onions from the Eaton Mountains south 

 have the finest flavor of any I ever tasted, and therefore am not sur- 

 prised that Lieutenant Emory found the dishes at Bernalillo " all dressed 

 with the everlasting onion. 7 * But as to the " chili " or pepper which is 

 so extensively raised and used in New Mexico, I beg to be excused, un- 

 less I can have my throat lined with something less sensitive than na- 

 ture's coating. Sweet potatoes have been successfully tried in the 

 vicinity of Fort Sumner and along the head-waters of the Eio Bonito. 

 Melons, pumpkins, frijoles, &c, are raised in profusion in the lower val- 

 leys; and I understand cotton was formerly grown in limited quantities. 



As a general thing the mountains afford an abundance of pine for the 

 supply of lumber and fuel to those sufficiently near to them. Some of 

 the valleys have a limited amount of cottonwood growing along them. 

 In addition to pine, spruce and cottonwood, the stunted cedar and mes- 

 quit, which is found over a large area, may be used for fuel. The best 

 timbered portion of the Eio Grande Valley is between Socorro and Dona 

 Ana. The east side of the Guadalupe range has an abundant supply of 

 pine of large size. Around the head- waters of the Pecos is some excel- 

 lent timber. Walnut and oak are found in a few spots south, but in 

 limited quantities and of too small a size to be of much value. . 



THE CANADIAN SECTION. 



This section, in a strictly systematic arrangement, would be included 

 in the Arkansas district, to which it really belongs ; but, for conveni- 

 ence, and that the plan of my report of last year may remain unchanged, 

 I describe it separately. It includes that part of New Mexico lying be- 

 tween the Eaton Mountains on the north and the Pecos section, or 



