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Show 129 no hesitation iD declaring that as a live- stock country New Mexico is far superior to any other west of the Mississippi. Morino Valley and the mountains just north of there is a region especially adapted to the raising of cattle and hoTsos duriug the summer and fall, but it is an inferior winter- range, owing to its great elevation. The adjacent foot- hills, however, afford shelter and abuudant food until the storms of winter have passed. The section drained by the Canadian River and its tributaries, the Mora and Pecos, is a fine tract for all kinds of live- stock, and is par excellence the future great wool- growing center of the West. Far to the north, where severe winter- storms and scarcity of food cause an annual loss of from 10 to 20 per cent., and even occasionally as high as one- half, the business is considered a paying one, and if made profitable under such disadvantages, what degree of success may not be expected in a region where the winter- storms are mild and of sbort duration ; where the nutritious native grasses furnish all the food necessary during summer and winter; and where sheep thrive without shelter, and are free from the diseases so prevalent in the East. The native animal is a descendant of the old Spanish Merino stock, considerably deteriorated by years of interbreeding; it, however, breeds back to pure Merino with wonderful facility, and may be readily improved in this way. It is quite small, and shears but about i$ pounds of wool of a good quality; the custom of shearing twice a year is prevalent, the mild winter appearing to make this practice desirable. The Cotswold sheep in the few instances where it has been introduced has done well, and could not fail to prove a good investment on a large scale, either to raise pure, or for the purpose of improving tne native stock. Sheep may be purchased by the thousand after* the fall- shearing for the sum of $ 1 per head, and may generally be obtained at any time for $ 1,500 per thousand. A competent shepherd may be hired for $ 15 per month, and the necessary corral and buildings erected with a maximum outlay of $ 200. With care and attention, it appears feasible that, aided by so many local conditions peculiarly favorable to the business, the emigrant to this region who turns his attention to sheep-raising will be certain to achieve success. The hills and mesas in the vicinity of Tierra Amarilla are covered with the finest growrh of white- pine timber to be found between the Mississippi Valley and the Sierra Nevadas. Here are countless thousands of lofty trees, valueless at preseut, and which may remain so during our generation, but which the advent of the locomotive will one day utilize for the benefit of mankind. The mineral wealth of New Mexico is not great, and has been generally overestimated. There is not at present a thrifty mining- district in the Territory. The gold mines at Elizabeth town still yield a moderate profit, but the gold- bearing area is of very limited extent, and must soon cease to be remunerative. Red River Cafion is a promising locality for gold, which, if present there in paying quantities, could be mined to advantage, on account of the abundant supply of water, wood, and other natural facilities which tend to cheapen mining operations and render them profitable. Gold in small quantities, with silver and copper, have already been found here, and further prospecting Will probably disclose these metals in greater richness. The mines of Trinidad, Colo., must exercise an important influence over the development of Southern Colorado and* Northern New Mexico. Although the precious metals do not exist here, there are coal and iron mines of vast extent, capable of supplying the western railroads with excellent material whenever the time shall come that the price of labor will allow of competition with eastern manufacturers. With all its natural advantages, its bright skies, pure atmosphere, and healthful climate, it may be pertinent to inquire why it is that the emigrant- wagon is so seldom seen bringing pioneers to new homes in this desirablejregion, while other Territories, far less inviting, are being populated so rdeidly. The reason will be found to be a peculiar state of affairs, affecting the price and ownership of land, which does not exist in any other Territory. New Mexico has the misfortune to have a large part of her lands under the control of so- called land- grant companies, which have obtained grants from individuals whose title generally came from the Mexican government, before the cession of New Mexico. There are nine of these land- grants, claiming in the aggregate over 8,000 square miles of the best agricultural and grazing land in the Territory. As certain of these grants have been confirmed by Congress, their title may be regarded as secure, but others yet lack ratification. The claims of some companies conflict with others, causing uncertainty regarding the titles and sometimes annoying litigation. Where there is so much doubt concerning the validity of these land- grants, and so little desirable Government land available for pre- emption, it should not be a matter of surprise that the population of the country is not rapidly increasing. Under these circumstances, people will not settle down to till the soil, erect buildings, and fence in farms, but choose rather to engage in the less expensive business of stock-raising, which is more suitable to a nomadic life in the event of an ejectment by some more lawful claimant. It would be economy for Government to buy up all these claims at a good round sum and throw the land open to settlement under the homestead laws. The speedy increase in the population and amount of taxable property, and general prosperity of |
