Arizona citizen. [volume] (Tucson, Pima County, A.T. [i.e. Ariz.]) 1870-1880, 1876-04-15
THE CITIZEN.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE.
soUTHEAsTERN ARIZONA.

Looking down the canon from Camp
Bowie, q beautiful view may be hsc
of a portion of the San Simeon Plains
In August, when the grass is dried up
il fails to impress one as it would il
the early spring-months, when the
hill-sides and plain are literally strewr
with flowers. Enough of grsms-grss:
grows in the neighbOrhood of the post
to afford abundant pssturage for al
stock. As might be expected, the
water is strongly impregnated with
lime, and is hence fruitful source of
bowel disorders among newcomers.
The post garden was quite productive,
and gave fair supply of vegetables,
its limited size being the only trouble.
Crossing the spur of the Chiricahua
range south of Camp Bowie, we came
TO the present location of the Chirics-
huo Apache agency. Going from the
plain east toward the mountain, the
grass becomes abundant, the vegets-
ton more varied, and the hills are
covered with fair growth of pine and
oak. 1t is, in word, one of the most
desirable csttle-rsnges in Arizona,
having in many respects the general
character of the valley of the San
but with mora and better pas
ture. Water is abundant enough for
herding purposes. though it does not
extend far out of the mountains into
the plains during the dry season.
Along the edge of the creek-bed
there is q fine growth of button wood,
oak, end the small variety of walnut. |
The large herd of cattle belonging to
the agency, with the Indian ponies, in
sll numbering several hundred head
IF animals, were ranging at will about
the immediate vicinity, all looking in
good condition, and without percepti-
bly, diminishing the psstursge.
Sulphur Spring, twenty-five miles
vest of this agency and fifteen east of
he Dragon Mountains, is likewise an
location, from its abundant
'upply of good grass. Before reach
ng it the road for miles lay through
\ dense growth of saccaton-grsss,
which was of infinitely less value than
he shorter grams that fairly covered
he ground at the springs. Without
this was the best location
or this we had seen. Associated with
t were a number of other species of
less value. The water is
warm, but sufficient for grazing pur-
'Oses. The neighboring Drsgoon
Mountains are yet III possession of the
indians, but will some day offer de-
irable locations for stock-ranches.
There are several fine springs in them.
The grass within reach of them is near
y inexhsustible.
The upper crossing of the San Pc
70 is thirty miles south of west from
sulphur Spring. The road to it near
lg the river lay through g dense
rowth of mesquite, snd dwsrfed
ines. Quite large number of cattle
pam over the adjacent region. At !
MS crossing there is little or nothing
one in the way of agriculture, though {
few miles below along the stream
lixed Mexican and American ponu-
'tlon has occupied the Land. They
ave productive farms, and supply :.
iuch barley and corn for the Territory.
IL the ordinary vegetables of the !,
'untry grow well there. There are
ow several thousand acres under cul-
vstion. The divide south of this is
% dry to be of any use, except when :
title can be driven either to the !
lenegs or San Pedro for water from I
le hills. The soil is largely made up
sand and gravel detritus from the
ijacent higher ground. Near the
lenega there is q most luxuriant
-owth of ssccston-grsss on the flats, q
hich, though of little value in itself, II
dicates that the soil is capable of e
,oducing more important crops. The "
'evailing vegetation on the hills is .
le ubiquitous creOSote-plant. q
South of the Cienega the Santa Rita Il
fountains rise probably 1O,5OO feet e
Dove the sea. Tucson lies west of v
lem; and east we have the head a
aters of the Cienega. Dsvidson's z
pring Is on the road to the Sonoita, s
i'd twelve miles from the Cienega. z
ere there is found q good spring, |
i'd plenty of forage in the country Q
Ear by. n
Following to the south, we assembled u
,st through fine valley, with every o
here abundance of grsma and bunch I
'asses. Lateral valleys, here and a
ere connected with the main one and L
Ie hills between, besides being well II
'vered with the sbove-nsmcd grasses, u
I'd oak. pine, and mesquite clumps, =
10 whole combining into landscape
more than usual attractiveness. In