AND ITS VICINITY. A437 
In the vicinity of the town are many fine gardens, 
which are irrigated from the aqueduct or the natural 
stream. We were not here in the season to see their 
beauties, and I visited them but once. The fruits cul- 
tivated are apples, pears, peaches, figs, melons, and 
grapes. The variety of vegetables is not large; not on 
account of the incapacity of the soil or the climate to 
produce them, but for want of attention. Those gene- 
rally cultivated are beans, peas, maize, red pepper, 
tomatoes, onions, lentils, beets, cabbages, etc. Wheat, 
barley, and alfalfa (a species of lucerne), are cultivated 
on the farms. 
The alfalfa is extensively cultivated as far north as 
Kl Paso, and is every where considered as one of the 
most profitable of farm crops, yielding abundantly 
without irrigation, and possessing the valuable property 
when once established of flourishing in perennial vigor 
for any length of time. In the vicinity of Chihuahua, 
where the climate is mild, it 1s cut eight times a year, 
and sold for green fodder at a real (twelve and a half 
cents) per bunch of twenty-five pounds. Mr. Rid- 
dells, our consul here, stated, that from a field of fift 
dred dollars a month. From fifteen to twenty extra mules would be 
necessary for such a train; as, on their long journeys, accidents cannot, 
be avoided. Men to herd and take care of the animals must also be 
provided ; and, finally, provisions for the journey. This will give an 
idea of the expense of fitting out a caravan or train; and if the mer- 
chant gets back with his goods in ten months from the time he left, 
without encounters with hostile Indians, or the loss of any of his wag- 
ons and their contents, in fording streams and otherwise, he may con- 
sider himself fortunate. It cannot be expected that a merchant will be 
satisfied with very small profits after such an expedition. 
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