Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1890-08-22
A RANCH IN THE CLOUDS
THE LOFTY HOME or AN ApvnN.
TURoUs PIONEER.

IAG LOEVx AOMG 06 AN AOVHN
TURoUs PIONEER.
Raising Crops At an Altitude OF 10
900 Feet in New Mexico-Trens
portatfon by Burros.
At the head waters of the north brncl
of the Rio Gallinas, eighteen or twsnt,
miles above the Las Vegas Hot Springs
Mr.. E. H. Harvey, former Botor
merchant, several years ago located hi
ranch at an elevation the most ambitou
perhaps of any farm on the continent
Coming to New Mexico originally TO,
his health, Mr.. Harvey, after examining
the conditions of the cattle and sleei
business on the open plains, and thos Of
agriculture in the lower valleys Lin
which an elaborate system of irrigaion
is required-decided to make his lpmt
in the mountains. In high valey
near the massive precipitous moutain
known as Hermit Rock he laid the sills
of his cabin amid the evergreen and ,op-
lar trees, took up under the homesead
law a tract of Government land, ant set
to work to improve it.
This ranch is peculiarly isolated, the
only other houses in wide region aout
being one or two deserted prospecors'
cabins and the works of an abandued
mica mine. Near the foot of the mont
aims the wagon trail leading from theet-
Elements comes to an end, and beynd
that point bride trail is the only ath
to the home of this adventurous ploeer
from Boston. Here, literally amonnhe
clouds, he has made the wilderness to
blossom as the rose. Part of his til.ble
and hay lands was open grassy parl at
the time of his coming, and the renin-.
der he has cleared by cutting downlnd
burning the trees. The range Of pa,lre
for his stock includes all accessible raz-
ing spaces up and down the valley.
At this high altitude of 1000 let,
only 800 feet below climber line, the
climate differs widely from that othe
plains. Through the summer, ding
times, it may be, when the plains bow
are parched with drought, there ardre-
quent showers and often long contiled
rains in the mountains, and after ear
tuO fCSCtdbiOu az ounIlSC 10 ID-
ping with heavy dew. Unde thes IA
vorable conditions no artificial irrigion
is required, and with the abumnt
moisture the grass grows thick nd
high, spangled with innumerable wv
ers of great beauty and variety, and ERE
are found many specimens of treend
plant life usually associated withar
more northerly latitudes. The altide
of the ranch is too great for the sucss-
full raising of corn, but nearly every der
agricultural product of the Norern
States flourishes. Grain and vegetses,
including potatoes, grow abundantlynd
rapidly, are of fine quality, and ain
great size. Timothy grass four feend
oat stalks six feet high are not unm-
mon specimens of the productive oa-
city of this ranch.
The luxuriant growth of foragend
the circumstances attending the tins.
portation of farm products to ma aet,
have tended to make the dairy the lief
feature of this upland ranch, Mr.tar-
vey's herd of cows give profitabl re-
turn for his care and labor. The lift
current of mountain rill turns YER
wheel connected with the revolvingad-
dledashers of cylindrical chui in
which is made the butter that on ted
days goes on the backs of pack auals
to the market at Las Vegas.
There is but one way by which to MS
port freight between the ranch anthe
town, by "packing," which is etfectby |
means of trains of burros (donk). |
With the garden and dairy producto
be carried to Las Vegas, or of 'fre
goods to take to his home, packe,n |
hampers, the owner starts the proceA
of pack animals in single file alonge |
mountain path, and himself bringp |
the rear on his sure footed ponb |
| quicken the pace of the stragglers I
watch that none of the burdens |
awry. Bulky articles, as trunks, fu
ture, or farming implements, are loa
upon frame like litter, suspended
tween two burros placed tandem, an,
this fashion are carried by the stes
docile little animals over the winding
the mountain trails, up and down 81
hill-sides, and across rushing torrenh
their destination.
The house is rude but comforta
structure, with wide open fireplace,
which the fire of hickory wood or pit
pine crackles cheerfully in the win
time, and on summer evenings as "
for at these mountain heights the nj
air is at all times cool, and oi
chilly. Rich milk, vegetables fresh
crisp, the tenderest and juiciest
beef and mutton--all raised upon
place-are features of the rsnch fare
with the hunger that the mountainl
imparts, the appetizing effect of the
past is enhanced by its plain and hor
service. The larder is helped
accordingly, as the season and hunt
luck may favor, by venison, bear md
wild turkey, mountain grouse and qd
and by the delicious black-spotted tt
of the Rio Gallinas.
Owing to the limited range of pasl
age, sheep-raising on the large