BOTANY. 
5 
kinds of mills and machinery, when the time for such wants has arrived. These considerations, 
in connexion with the fact of its forming a middle and connecting link between the Atlantic and 
Pacific shores, give it a high degree of interest at the present time. The region is large enough 
for a State of the first magnitude, and contains all the natural elements of self-sustenance, 
excepting, probably, commerce. The difficulties which alone now prevent this district, and 
that of the valley of the Bio Grande, from rising to its proper scale of importance, will in a 
great measure he obviated as soon as any Pacific railroad is established and finished. Should 
any other route than this be adopted, the road, either north or south, can he easily tapped, so 
as to diffuse its beneficial influences to this Avhole country. The quality of the soil, though not 
equal to that of the Indian territory west of Arkansas, is superior to that of the Eio Grande 
valley, either in New Mexico or Texas. It is probably as well adapted to sheep grazing as any 
other country in the world. There can he no doubt, when properly settled, and easy communi¬ 
cations can he safely had with the great Eastern States and with California, that it will prove 
equal, also, to any other country, as a resort for consumptive invalids. 
Section V. Rio Grande Valley .—What there is to he remarked of this valley will he brief, 
because it is an old and well known region, having been settled by the Spaniards about three 
hundred years ago. Gregg’s Commerce of the Prairies gives a vivid, and generally truthful, view 
of this country, and its capabilities for agricultural productions. There is not time now, nor 
indeed is it in place, to enter into a comparative view of the adaptation of this country to con¬ 
sumptive invalids, with those of foreign countries, or with other places in the United States; 
hut little is hazarded in asserting, that in no long time this, and the upper Pecos valley, will 
become one of the most important and eligible places in the whole world for such purposes. As 
soon as communications with the Eastern States and California become speedy, cheap, and 
regular, as well as free from the danger with which they are at present attended, and when 
the ordinary means and comforts of living are easily and cheaply procured, so as to come within 
the reach of the yeomanry of the land, a trip and sojourn to this country will form as pleasant 
an excursion as to any part of our country can, and many an invalid will then avail himself of the 
recuperative influences of this climate. The summer heat is greatly modified by the peculiar 
aridness of the atmosphere, which, by rapidly carrying off the perspiration before it has time to 
accumulate to any sensible degree, cools the surface of the body, and makes the summer truly 
delightful, especially to an invalid. The winter is mild, being screened from the penetrating 
winds of the north by intervening mountains. The terrible norther , so well known and dreaded 
by the inhabitants and travellers in lower Texas, is not known here. Many invalids who at 
present resort to San Antonio for their health, experience various bad effects from the sudden 
changes of the weather, resulting mainly from those “ northers.” 
The width of the Piio Grande valley, at the point where we crossed it (which was at Albu¬ 
querque) from the dividing ridge between it and the Pecos, and the highlands or mountains 
between its waters and those flowing westward into the Gulf of California, is about one hun¬ 
dred and seventy miles. Its length in the Territory of New Mexico is embraced between about 
the thirty-second and thirty-eighth degrees of north latitude ; which, with its tortuous course, 
would give it a length of about four hundred and thirty miles. This of course embraces a 
great variety of climate, independently of the effect produced by the highly elevated ranges 
of mountains which partly environ it on the east and west. 
The soil is well adapted to the cultivation of all the finer fruits and vegetables, as well as the 
cereals ; hut it requires irrigation. Grapes, apricots, pears, and melons, are produced in the 
utmost perfection and abundance. The grapes, especially, are far superior to any that can be 
cultivated at home, in the open air. Beets, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins do equally well, if 
not better than in the Eastern States. But the Irish potato does not succeed, excepting in the 
mountainous regions. On account of the cost of irrigation, wheat and corn cannot be raised as 
cheaply as in the Western Atlantic States ; nevertheless, by irrigation they do very well, and 
large quantities of both are produced. 
