356 IRRIGATION CATTLE INDIANS MINES. 



should prove successful, the progress of agriculture in New Mexico 

 would be more rapid, and, even many of the dreaded 'Jornadas' 

 might be changed from waterless deserts into cultivated plains. 



The present system of irrigation is effected by darning the 

 streams, and throwing the water into larger and smaller ditches or 

 acequias surrounding and intersecting the whole cultivated land. 

 The inhabitants of towns and villages locate their farms together, 

 and allot to each the use of a part of the water at certain definite 

 periods. These common fields are generally left without fences, for 

 the grazing cattle are always guarded by vaqueros or herdsmen. 

 The finest cultivated fields are generally seen on the haciendas, or 

 large estates belonging to the rich proprietors. These haciendas are 

 a remnant of the old Spanish system by which large tracts, with the 

 appurtenances of Indian inhabitants or serfs were granted by the 

 crown to its vassals. The great number of human beings attached 

 to such estates, are, in fact, nothing more than slaves ; they receive 

 from their masters only food, lodging, and raiment, or, perhaps a 

 mere nominal pay, and are kept constantly in debt and dependance 

 on their landlords; so that if ancient custom and natural indolence 

 did not compel them to remain permanently with their hereditary 

 masters, the enforcement of Mexican laws against debtors would be 

 sufficient to prolong their servitude from generation to generation. 



Besides agriculture, the New Mexicans pay a great deal of at- 

 tention to the raising of cattle. Their stock is all of a small size, 

 raised from unimproved or exhausted breeds ; but it increases ra- 

 pidly, and as no stable feeding is needed in winter, it exacts but 

 little care from its owners. There are large tracts of land in New 

 Mexico, either too mountainous or too distant from water to be cul- 

 tivated, which, nevertheless, afford excellent pasturage for innumer- 

 able herds during the whole year; but, unfortunately, here as well 

 as in the State of Chihuahua, cattle raising has been crippled by the 

 incursions of hostile Indians, who consider themselves c secret part- 

 ners' in the business, and annually carry off their share from the 

 unprotected vaqueros. 



A third much neglected branch of industry in New Mexico, is 

 that of mining. Numerous deserted mining places in this region 

 prove that it was pursued with much greater zeal in Spanish times 

 than at present. This may be accounted for by the actual want 

 of capital and knowledge of mining, but, especially, by the unsettled 

 state of the country and the arbitrary conduct of its rulers. The 

 mountainous parts of New Mexico are considered extremely rich in 

 gold, copper, iron, and some silver. Gold seems to be found to a 



