ever raised, and as we in Grant County can not go into wine-raising, we want the best table grape planted.

My fruit trees are all doing finely. I shall add 4 or 5 acres next spring in apples, besides some more Green Mountain grapes. I am planning extensive storage reservoirs for next winter's snows and rain.

The peach orchard of Judge G. W, Wood, near Las Cruces, which is the largest in New Mexico, has come into bearing this year, and over 500,000 pounds of fruit were shipped prior to September 1.

STOCK-RAISING.

CATTLE.

The number of cattle returned for taxation in 1891 was 1,041,237, being somewhat of a reduction from 1,129,088, the number returned in 1890.

The business can not be said to be very prosperous. Mr. H. H. Pierce, the editor of The Stock-Grower, an excellent journal, published at Las Vegas, reports as follows:

During the past year conditions have been such in New Mexico that the cattle business has not shown any reaction from the depressed condition which has prevailed since 1888. Throughout the Territory, with the exception of the northeastern portion, the range has suffered from lack of rain, and as a result feed has been short, the calf crop very small, and considerable loss of the small crop has been caused by the ravages of wolves, especially in the east and northeast. These animals have been driven into New Mexico from western Kansas and the Panhandle of Texas, caused by the settlement of those sections. Many cattle-raisers of New Mexico have gone out of the business during the past year, and a number of others are anxious to go out as opportunity offers, and it is safe to say that there are not now half as many men actually engaged in the business as there were four or five years ago, and that the number of cattle on the ranges will show about the same proportion of decrease, and the decrease of cattle will continue at least another year, when the ranges will be relieved to such an extent as to increase good feed for all the stock left. A great many steers have been shipped and driven to northern ranges and pastures in Kansas and Nebraska during the year. The cattle sold to go to ranges of the Northwest have gone at about the following figures: Yearling steers, $8 to $10; twos, $11 to $14; threes and up, $14 to $16, prices varying according to grade and point of delivery.

The prices named are for the cattle delivered at the various shipping points on the railroad. A few sales have been reported at higher figures than those named, but they were cattle of exceptionally good quality and in first-class condition.

Messrs. Brown & Manzanares, whose experience is of much value say:

We believe that the cattle industry has not been profitable during the past year. There was a fair rate of increase as far as the calf crop is concerned, but losses have been heavy, prices low, the drought in many places has made feed scarce, compelling shipments in spite of low prices, all of which causes, we believe, have resulted in a decrease in number and value of animals in the Territory.

Mr. George L. Brooks, secretary of the cattle sanitary board, reports that the number of cattle shipped out of the Territory by rail during the last year was 126,824, and the number driven out was 29,995, making altogether 156,819.

Hon. Thomas D. Burns, one of the brightest and most intelligent men in the Territory, writes the following characteristic letter relative to the cattle interest in the northern part of Rio Arriba County, which might be commended to the attention of the Indian Office.

About ten years ago this was a prosperous county as far as stock was concerned, but since the Jicarilla Apaches were placed on a reservation at Amargo, stock has been on the decline, and it is all due to the Apaches killing and eating our cattle. Carlisle Brothers put 3,000 head of cattle on what they call Cañon Gallegos about six years ago; they have taken their cattle out of the country, and with all the in

crease they were only able to round up 1,500 head. Capt. Kutz, of Huerfano, Colo., put in 2,000, and after five years took out about 700. Wainwright put in about 3,000 head and will hardly get a thousand. Several others are in the same fix. I used to have from 600 to 800 calves each year, now I have a little over 200.

The fact is, that as long as these Apaches are here, raising cattle in this country is among the "lost arts." The amount of the calf crop can be given only by the Apaches.

SHEEP.

The sheep industry continues to be very prosperous and profitable. There can be no doubt that New Mexieo is specially adapted to it by

nature.

Mr. H. H. Pierce, above referred to, says:

The sheep-raisers are prosperous. The past season the lambings in every section of the Territory were better than usual, and the wool clip was a good average and found ready sale, though at slightly lower prices than prevailed last year. About 200,000 have been driven or shipped out of the Territory to the feeding pens of Kansas and Nebraska during the year. Nearly all were wethers and brought about the same prices as were paid last year-$1.25 to 1.75 for yearlings and from $2.00 to $3.00 for two, and up. The satisfactory condition of the business in New Mexico causes the raisers to be very firm in their prices and buyers have generally paid a little higher figure for their stock than prevailed last year.

Quite a number of new men are engaging in the business, and in many sections the ranges vacated by cattlemen are being filled with sheep. Considerable attention is being paid to the improvement of the quality of stock, and even now the Territory has many flocks that will compare favorably in wool production with those of Utah, Montana, and California. The output of wool was about the same as last year-in the neighborhood of 12,000,000—and it showed a marked improvement in quality over that of previous years.

Messrs. Brown & Manzanares estimate the wool product at 12,000,000 pounds, sold at 15 to 18 cents per pound, and realizing $2,000,000. Secretary Brooks reports that from January 1 to September 1, 1892, ninety carloads of sheep were taken from the Territory, averaging 250 to the car.

Hon. T. D. Burns writes:

Sheep have done well; we have sold yearling wethers at from $1.60 to $2.00 each; about 25,000 have been sold. The increase of lambs is about 80 per cent.

Mr. W. S. Burke, the secretary of the Albuquerque commercial club, reports as follows as to this industry in his section:

The spring wool clip of the present year, in the district tributary to Albuquerque, was a little above the average in quality and quantity. The wool industry in this part of the Territory is growing quite rapidly and sheep are supplanting cattle on many ranges. The sheep have also been bred up to a very considerable extent by the importation of blooded rams. The lowest grade of wool, which a few years ago constituted almost the entire crep of the country, is now scarcely seen in this market, except in those lots that come from the Indian country. The Navajos still keep the "scrub sheep" and practically the only carpet wool produced here now is what they raise. The quality of the wool handled in this market has also been improved by reason of the fact that the old custom of shearing twice a year has very generally been abandoned. Flock-masters have learned that if they shear only in the spring, though they lose a little in weight, they more than make up the difference by the improved quality of the wool, owing to the greater length of fiber, and thus find it profitable as well as humane to dispense with the fall shearing.

The most accurate and painstaking of those who make reports on the subject is Hon. Luis A. C. de Baca, of Baca, in the eastern part of Mora County. His statements are valuable because they are exact; and while they show the difference in results in the case of neighboring owners, the average is a fair criterion for the northeast of New Mexico. He sends the following list of sheep-owners in eastern Mora, with the number of sheep belonging to each, the amount of wool, and the number of lambs. As compared with the similar statement pub

lished last year (page 28 of report), this shows a very gratifying increase in all respects.

List of sheep owners of the east part of Mora County.

I believe the wool crop of 1892 reaches 16,000,000 pounds, notwithstanding the statements of Messrs. Brown & Manzanares and Mr. Pierce. Previous experience has taught me that in each place they underestimate the amount of wool in the Territory not brought to their own market. The shipments outside of Las Vegas and Albuquerque amount to at least 4,000,000 pounds, and perhaps 4,500,000. The total value of the crop was something over $2,500,000.

MINING.
METALS.

This important industry has seen its usual ups and downs during the past year, but as a whole is in a flourishing condition. Our miners, now that they are relieved from the degrading competition with the half-paid laborer of Mexico, are able to command a fair American compensation for their work throughout the year. It would be hard to imagine a case in which the present tariff has been of such immediate and obvious benefit as that of silver-lead ores.

.

The most important increase in production has been at White Oaks, in the Old Abe mine and elsewhere on Baxter Mountain. Mr. William Watson, of White Oaks, writing of that section, says:

The North Homestake, Lady Godiva, Old Abe, American, and Helen Rae mines have all produced more or less gold bullion. The development of mining industry

is much greater than any previous year, especially in the North Homestake, where at a depth of 1,000 feet the value of the ore increased $4 a ton, while the discovery of a rich vein of gold on both the Helen Rae and American mines, which yielded $100 per ton, is very encouraging. The new discoveries of gold veins in the Organ Mountain have great promise. There seems good reason to believe that New Mexico will soon be a large gold producer, as the deeper the workings have been pushed the better the result.

The Old Abe began to produce January, 1891, and from then to this date $354,589 has been extracted from it. The main shaft is 600 feet deep, with 13 levels, the total excavations amounting to 3,600 feet. The South Homestake has produced $280,000, and though an accidental fire has stopped its flow of wealth, it will soon be in order to continue its production. The North Homestake has a shaft 985 feet deep, and over 5,000 feet of excavations. A new body of rich ore has just been struck at the depth above mentioned. The Lady Godiva mine is 635 deep, and 800 tons of its ore, averaging $27.50 per ton, have been treated already at the White Oaks gold mill. All of these mines, together with a number of others, are in the famous Baxter Mountain, which seems to be a storehouse of wealth.

At Hillsboro great prosperity prevails and the output is continually increasing. It bids fair to become one of the great producing districts of the country.

The following letter from Prof. Charles Longuemare, editor of the Bullion, and an acknowledged authority on mining matters in the Southwest, gives a general outline of the progress and condition of the industry in New Mexico at the present time:

EL PASO, TEX., August 9, 1892.

SIR: In response to your request I furnish the following brief résumé of the progress of the mining industry in New Mexico within the twelve months since the date of your last annual report. One of the most notable events is the decrease of the production of silver in the Territory, a fact that has been noticed by Walter C. Hadley, E. M., in his annual report to the Director of the Mint, wherein he estimates the decrease of silver since the year 1890, at 23.7 per cent. He also finds for the same period a decrease of the production of lead of 17.9 per cent; but upon the other hand has reported an increase of the gold production of New Mexico for the same time of 28 per cent. These figures have been very generally accepted as correct or nearly so. The falling off of the production of silver since the date of Mr. Hadley's report has continued in proportion as the market value of silver has diminished, and owing to the conditions under which silver and lead are found in nature I believe that a diminishing product of the latter metal has also continued to manifest itself. That the unnatural depreciation of the value of silver is responsible for the diminishing output of the "white metal" in New Mexico, no one will attempt to deny who is conversant with all of the facts of the case. But to remove any doubts I will state that good authorities estimate that the average cost of producing one ounce of silver in the Territory amounts to 80 cents, and that on Saturday, August 13, 1892, silver had declined to 824 cents per ounce, or in other words only 24 cents above the actual average cost of producing an ounce of silver in New Mexico.

The increased product of gold in New Mexico is due to the increased attention which has been devoted by miners and capital in searching for and developing gold claims that in previous years had been neglected, and also to the fact that more than one property in the Territory commenced its production career as the result of the development of previous years. This increased interest in gold mining has been particularly felt at Hillsboro and at White Oaks, though it is perceptible in almost every county in the Territory. At White Oaks the output of gold from the Old Abe and the North Homestake mines has been quite a factor in the increased production of gold; other properties in the vicinity are also preparing to produce. At Nogal, a few miles from White Oaks, the American mine is yielding good grade gold ore and recently I have been advised of the intersection in that property of a body of still richer mineral. The ore bodies of Baxter Mountain, in which the Old Abe and the North Homestake are located, are phenomenal because of the depth to which the free milling gold ore descends; in the latter mine to a depth of 985 feet and in the Old Abe the ore has paid from the grass roots, has been continuous to the present depth of over 600 feet, and continues to be free milling. Late advices have

reached me that indicate that the South Homestake, lying adjacent to the North Homestake, is also upon the eye of furnishing its contingent of gold to increase the product of the Territory. The Bonanza at Hillsboro has been worked continuously in the most satisfactory manner and is daily adding to New Mexico's gold output. The claims upon the Eastern slope of the Organ Mountains are receiving attention and at this moment a milling plant is in course of erection there, owned by White Oak parties. There has also been a notable increase of interest manifested in the production of gold in Grant, Sierra, Socorro, Santa Fe, Colfax, and Rio Arriba counties, and in fact throughout the Territory; and as I predicted years ago numerous districts in northern and central New Mexico that have been neglected have during the past twelve months been revisited by prospectors, and many relocations, particularly of gold claims, have been made.

I am pleased to chronicle a striking interest that has shown itself among prospectors and miners in giving attention to those sources of wealth that have all along been considered by them of little value. Of these coal and iron rank first. Of the former the recent discovery of a 6-foot vein at Salada is notable. The area containing good bituminous coal in Lincoln County will have a powerful influence upon the industrial future of southern New Mexico, which is not at all lessened by the presence of large bodies of high-grade iron ore in the immediate vicinity of the fuel, with which to convert the latter into an article of commerce. Coal has also been discovered near Tularosa and the probabilities are favorable to its discovery between Silver City and Las Cruces and in the vicinity of Deming; at least the conditions are sufficiently favorable to warrant attempts being made to determine the fact. Discoveries of the following elements of wealth have frequently occurred during the past year: Coal, iron, marble (black, white and variegated), Mexican onyx, sulphate of lime, sulphate of salt, fire clay, bitumen, and serpentine. Tin has been identified in Grant County, and the deposits of alumina on the Gila in the same county are being explored. While silver has reached the lowest price in its annals, the enthusiasm of the prospector has not diminished, and in consequence frequent discoveries of silver ore bodies have been made during the year as well as of copper, zine, and lead. The El Paso Smelting Works have been materially enlarged and the Rio Grande Smelting Works at Socorro have been much increased in capacity, numerous improvements and additions having been made.

Two extensive sampling works have been erected, one at El Paso and the other at Deming. At Hillsboro a copper plant, with the object of employing copper as a collector of gold and silver in the ores of that section, is now operating with success and is producing copper matte well charged with the precious metals. In Water Canon, Socorro County, a small concentrating plant has been erected for the purpose of treating the ore of the Gettysburg claim. If the venture is successful then more extensive plants of a kindred nature will be erected in more than one locality in the Magdalena Range to utilize the immense deposits of concentrating ores that lie there now neglected.

At Organ the Stevenson-Bennett Company is just finishing a concentrating plant of considerable capacity to treat their low-grade ore. The fire-clay works at Socorro have been in operation some months successfully, and find no difficulty in securing a profitable market from their productions. The school of mines at Socorro is upon the eve of throwing open its doors to the entrance of pupils, and this institution is destined to exercise a great and increasing influence upon the mining industry of the Southwest.

Yours, very truly,

Hon. L. BRADFORD PRINCE,

Governor of New Mexico.

CHAS. LONGUEMARE.

Walter C. Hadley, esq., who has prepared the official mining reports for New Mexico for many years, writes from the new town of Hadley, near Cooks Peak, as follows:

In Steeple Rock district there has been a sale recently of the Jim Crow gold and silver properties to Pittsburg parties. Pinos Altos, where I have just been, is likely to continue to do quite well, although things are quiet there now. Work has been resumed on the old solid silver mine at Black Hawk, and it is said that the company will sink to the 1,000-foot level before cross-cutting. Cooks Peak is really more fortunate this year than any other of the camps this side of the Rio Grande. The output of silver-lead properties has been a little larger than last year, but it is doubtful whether as much money has been received in payment owing to the prices of both lead and silver. Teel and Poe have a very fine body of ore at this time and the surprise is also in bonanza. We are not taking out any ore at this time, as we are sinking our shaft another 150 feet. Our mill has been running steadily, however,