Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-12-19

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is the native gramma grass, which
stands dry weather as no other grass
does, and although of short growth is
extremely nutritious; and, remarkable
as it is, this grass possesses the quality
the year through. The cattle come off
the pastures in the spring as fat as in
the fall This fact is in marked contrast
with other grazing localities. There the
grass dies after frost and has but little
nutriment left. "Northers" are but little
felt perhaps for the reason that the force
of the wind is broken by the spurs of
the Rocky mountains extending along
the northeastern part Of the territory,
and known as the Ration range. That
which adds to the success OF stock rails
ing in this county is the fact that the
grazing localities are we'll watered. The
Canadian and Pecos rivers with their
tributaries, supplemented by numerous
lakes and springs upon the high prairies,
supply water for immense ranges.
The climate is mild, and the altitude
is such, being about 1900 feet above the
level of the sea, that more desirable
locality can not be found for the farmer
and stock raiser.
Sheep raising has been very promi-
nent industry Of these counties, particu-
larly with the native population. Cattle
raising has become one OF the principal
industries OF the eastern portion of both
counties, and very successful efforts are
being made to improve the herds by the
introduction Of thoroughbred bulls.
Many large ranches, owned by indi'
viduals and companies, are located along
the Canadian and on the tributaries,
north and south of it. The Pecos river,
flowing through the southwestern por
ton of the counties, is favorite ranch
ing section.
The minerals found in these valleys
constitute gold, silver, copper, coal and
iron. Gold and silver bearing veins have
been discovered in the Tecolote noun
tains twelve miles from Las Vegas.
Still further west, however, in the
mountains along the Pecos river impor
tant developments Of copper have been
made. The facts are, that the noun
tains are mineral bearing throughout,
and all that is required is a thorough
investigation to demonstrate beyond a
doubt the great value of the deposits.
Good indications of mineral exist above
and near the Las Vegas Hot Springs,
Tecolote creek. Sapello and various
other POINTS. So far as the mineral in
San Miguel and Guadalupe counties is
concerned. it is virgin field, known to
exist, but little prospected. Coal has
been found in various places in these
counties. and Of good quality, especially
on the Pecos river. The mica industry
promises to be of considerable impor-
tance. New Hampshire and North Car
DINA furnish about all the mica that is
sold in our markets and not shipped
from abroad. Mica is worth from 30
cents to 50 per pound, the price between
these sums depending upon it's clear
ness, toughness and size.
The Pecos timber reservation COM
prises 7O2 square miles, covering a por.
ton Of western San Miguel, southern
Taos and northeastern Santa Fe coun-
ties. The region is rugged and noun.
famous, and here innumerable small
streams have their origin, and, flowing
southwark, form the source Of the Rio
Pecos. which cuts the reservation about
midway between Las Vegas and Santa
Fe. Here, for twenty miles north of
Glorieta mountains, nestles one OF the
most beautiful and attractive upland
valleys in all the Rocky mountains.
Oats, potatoes, barley and timothy are
chiefly grown, and the ranch houses and
homes for live stock raising are numer-