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Show MINES AND MINING v7 vineyards in the Rio Abajo, mainly growing at the missions in the valley of the Rio Grande, and in the vicinity of Paso del Norte. As has been said, the New Mexicans were distinctly a pastoral people. The high table lands afforded a most excellent pasturage, the grass growing thereon being of a most nutritious character and known as grama. For grazing purposes the grama reached its perfection from August to October, curing upon the ground and making most excellent hay. Although the winters in the northern portions were rigorous, stock-feeding was unknown, the great herds of cattle, sheep, goats, and other animals maintaining themselves in excellent condition upon the dry grama pasturage, until the rains of spring and summer brought forth the green grass upon the prairies. Mining in New Mexico during the Spanish and Mexican rule was very limited. Prior to the revolt of 1680, it may be safely said that no mines were worked in New Mexico. MINES AND MINING An Official report of 1725 declares that not a single mine of gold or silver had ever been worked in the territory and that all the plate required for the services of the missions was brought from the provinces south of New Mexico. All of the traditions concerning lost Spanish mines, buried treasures of the Franciscan friars, and kindred tales are only myths.1° The conclusion is justified that mining of any consequence was only commenced in the first years of the nineteenth centnry. True 119 Dr. Gregg was undoubtedly imposed upon in the matter of ‘‘lost mines; ’”’ stories of the location or probable location of these mines were poured into the ears of the Americans and Gregg undoubtedly received his full share. He says: ‘‘Tradition speaks of numerous and productive mines having been in operation in New Mexico before the expulsion of the Spaniards in 1680; but that the Indians, seeing that the cupidity of the conquerors had been the cause of their former cruel oppressions, determined to conceal all the mines by filling them up, and obliterating as much as possible every trace of them. This was done so effectually, as is told, that after the second conquest (the Spaniards in the meantime not having turned their attention to mining pursuits for a series of years), succeeding generations were never able to discover them again. Indeed, it is now generally credited by the Spanish population, that the Pueblo Indians, up to the present day, are acquainted with the locales of a great number of these wonderful mines, of which they most sedulously preserve the secret. Rumor further asserts that the old men sages of the Pueblos periodically lecture the youths on this subject, warning them against discovering the mines to the Spaniards, lest the cruelties of the original conquest be renewed towards them, and they be forced to toil and suffer in those mines as in days of yore. To the more effectual preservation of secrecy, it is also |