The Van Buren press., 1878-05-07

The grass does not grow high, but it is
very nutritious, and makes an excellent
food for stock during the winter. The
stock were bred up" and were better
than Arkansas and Texas stock as to
quality. Sheop-raising is extensively
followed, many men owning from 5000
to 10000 head. 1t is more generally fol-
lowed In southern New Mexico than cat
tie raising, from the fact that storms
Chat make sad, havoc among..s sheep do
not prevaiD,..a s in Colorado. Stocimen
say there is greater profit in sheep than
cattle, but greater risk and labor Sheep
require constant attention, and should
have protection in the winter. The prof
it on sheep is from 10 to 60 per cent,
with suitable care, aud 25 to so per cent,
with cattle, so | was informed.
The face of the country presents a di-
versitied appearance-here great prai-
RIGS reaching far off for miles and miles,
covered with cattle, sheep, and antel-
opes while, on the other hand, there
were morass, lofty hills and mountains
stretching off in the distance. The noun
tains and hills were covered with a rich
coat Of grass. which is very nutritious,
ailording range for stock, summer and
winter, and cattle seek the canons at the
approach OF storms, if in reach of them
The timber of that country consists of
cedar, pine, and pinyou. The latter is
most generally used tor fuel, | think,
although there is no end to the coal in
that country, it is said. In fact, we could
see 1t " cropping OUT in every neighbor-
hood on our line Of travel. Pine was
being made into railroad cross-ties.
While seeing this done, thought of our
fine timber going to waste in Arkansas
tor want of Il market. We found
plenty OF game, and ate, on several oc-
casions, some speelled trout, so fine and
delicious, | thought of Sides and Dr..
Thruston, if they could be along to do
justice to the occasion, there would be
no rest until they could catch some OF
them from the sparkling brooks.
we saw many pretty antelopes, found
only on the prairies, and frequently in
company with cattle, but they would
"skim out" at our approach. The prairie
dogs were seen without number SO
quick and so cute, and | often think Of
the great number that p" Mae" with his
revolver, frightened out of their wits
frightened" only this, and nothing
more"
Were kindly treated on our trip atall
points. We spent three weeks in New
Mexico but roads were fine, and we
travelled 60 miles per day with as much
ease as 40 miles in this country. On
our return from New Mexico, we visited
San Luis Park, in Colorado, crossed
over the Sangre de Christie pass of the
Rocky Mountain on the Denver and Rio
tirande railroad, and reached point 8, :
339 feet above the level of the sea the
highest point reached by any railroad in
North America. We visited Colorado
Springs, and saw the natural scenes OF
that pretty watering place, which has a
wor divide reputation. Perhaps it would
not be amlss to express my views in re,
gard to New Mexico as place to emf
CRATE. | do not conceive it to be q rich
or poor" mans country. Not a rich
mans, from the fact that he desires to
be where he can obtain the luxuries OF
lite--to be in the midst of good society
schools, etc. 1t is not poor mans coun-
try-from the fact it is not a profitable
farming country; labor in ordinary way
limited; country is sparsely settled and
very few schools to educate his children
and people going to such country must
rough II" at least for a few years. Ii
i0ttv rs otv0i ~, ts..i
any kind, and enjoys reasonable gooG
health, it is folly for him to change.
could have spoken of the Mcxicans anc
their villages, OF the mining interests o
New Mexico, which are yet but very lttl,
developed, but are being rapidly advanc
cd, aud many other matters, but have
now taken up too much space in you
columns. j. WARREN.
Bay COME AND SEE US