tion, would produce abundant crops of corn in the rainy

season.

The only farming implements of the country are a pointed stick-serving for a plough—a hoe, and a sickle; and where such grand results are attained with these, what would not be the results of the introduction of our improved agricultural implements, and the application of farming knowledge?

PASTURE LANDS.

The pasturage, though not so abundant as is found to the north-west, is yet very superior. The higher lands, unfit for agricultural uses, but covered with a growth of nutritious grasses, are adapted to cattle and sheep ranges. There are three varieties of grasses upon the lands-the mesquit grass, confined to the ranges of the mesquit timber; the sacatom, a coarse species found on the higher ranges; and the gráma [crondosium] occupying the plateaus and less elevated hills. The latter variety has much the appearance of dry, curled whittlings of pine wood, is very nutritious, and was greedily eaten by our animals. Throughout the entire year the cattle graze upon the hills, there being no need to preserve the grasses. Northern Sonora is, without dispute, pre-eminent as a stock raising country.

ROADS.

The roads are principally the simple pack trails of the country. From Guaymas, the port of entry, a good wagon road passes by way of Hermosillo to Ures, and thence up the Sonora river to Arispe, twenty leagues from your property, which distance is traversed by a good pack trail. A very excellent wagon road from Guaymas, passes through San Marcial and Matape, and with very small outlay, may be opened almost to San Pedro, by way of Oposura and Cumpas. From San Pedro a pack trail crosses the moun

tain range to Joriquipe Pueblo, a distance of three leagues, from whence a natural wagon road continues to the property. I think, however, that packing may be altogether avoided, and a wagon road found to connect San Pedro and Joriquipe, by using a mountain pass a little farther north, which, it is said, was used by the Jesuits for this purpose. A road could be opened, though at considerable expense, from Oposura to Granadas, on the Yaqui river, from whence a good road continues north to the property. A road could also be opened from the mouth of the Yaqui river; though the preferable route of all, because the shortest and least expensive, is that by way of Oposura, Cumpas and San Pedro. In the meantime, the pack trails connecting the property with the lower towns could be materially improved by the expenditure of a few hundred dollars. A wagon road for the transportation of ores from the Valenzuello mines to any desired point on the river, may be made; also one from the heurigo timber tract to the river, as I have already remarked. The natural wagon road up Joriquipe creek may, I think, be connected with the Cherunivava and Pinal mines; and, if continued through the pass mentioned above, with the other mines spoken of in this report. The pack trains and wagons conveying bullion, agricultural and manufactured products, etc., to Guaymas and the southern towns, would return laden with salt, quicksilver, and other needed supplies.

LABOR.

The substitution, in toto, of white labor for peon, would not, during the existing rates of compensation, be advisable. The Mexican labor, though, under the most favorable auspices, of no very high standard, may, when properly superintended, be used advantageously, though, to render it controllable, the system of peonage must be continued.

More, however, depends upon proper management in this matter than, perhaps, in any other connected with operations in this country. The Oputo Indian labor is preferable to Mexican, being more pliable. These Oputo people are docile and intelligent, have wonderful powers of endurance, and make good miners and laborers; and withal, they manifest a strong feeling of friendship for the whites, in which, they are diametrically opposed to the Mexican, who, on every safe occasion, shows treachery and deceit. Strictly speaking, the Oputos form the producing population of Northern Sonora. The price of labor is governed here, as elsewhere, by the demand; the pay of miners and laborers rarely exceeds fifty cents per day.

SUB-DIVISION AND COLONY.

The lands of San Juan del Rio may be advantageously sub-divided into several or more tracts, each having waterpower, arable lands, timber, pasturage, road facilities, mines, mineral veins, etc., to make it, in every sense, independent of the others.

They are also eminently adapted for a colony or colonies, having every needed element within their boundaries to support and give employment to a considerable population. In consequence of the abundance of water power, fuel, and arable lands, it is a favorable site for manufacturing establishments, cotton, flour, saw, and sugar mills, etc. The manufacture of cotton goods and woolen fabrics could not fail to be a success, as in the northern towns such goodsof which a supply is never to be had-find rapid sale at 100 to 300 per cent. over the ruling prices in Guaymas and Hermosillo, which, in their turn, are 50 to 100 per cent. higher than their cost to the merchants. And the same rule applies to all manufactured articles.

The climate of this portion of Sonora is truly delightful,

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the thermometer seldom rising above 80° or falling below 50°; and its healthfulness, serenity, and equalibility, surpass those of any other spot I have ever visited.

APACHE AND CIVIL WAR FEARS.

The success of myself and assistant in traveling, with but two servants-whom we were obliged to watch-through almost every portion of the Apache country, and in carrying our investigations into sections which have not before been visited for half a century, or more, is, I think, an ample proof that the Apaches will not be a serious obstacle to an extensive mining establishment on the San Juan del Rio property. I would not wish to infer that there are no dangers, or that it would be advisable to adopt a course of action which we were forced, through circumstances, to follow; that would be extremely hazardous, and the result almost positively fatal. It is true, however, that nearly every disaster that has occured through Apaches, may be traced to recklessness or a criminal neglect to adopt such precautionary measures as common sense would dictate. The principal dangers are those which are encountered in traveling from point to point; and even these may, in a degree, be avoided by caution. An active mining est .blishment, when taking common precautions against surprise, incurs no danger from even the strongest party of Apaches; it is only when vigilance is relaxed, and there is supposed to be no danger, that it really occurs. The cunning strategy, and even courage of the Apache must not be despised; and on the other hand, he must not be feared. When met with his own safeguard-which is an ever active watchfulnesshe is conquered.

No interference from the contesting parties in Sonora, Liberal and Imperial, need be apprehended, while your representatives strictly confine themselves to their duties, and do

not interfere with the social and political institutions of the country. The only annoyance you may be subjected to, are vacillation and delay in business matters, and petty tyrannies in passing through their army lines; and patience and civility, marked by firmness, will, in a majority of cases, overcome these. A show of strength, and determination to deal severely with offenders, will be sufficient to check marauding parties.

ORE SAMPLES.

I was subjected to one of the annoyances above named, in not being permitted to take with me, through the army lines, specimens of the ores of the mines I have above described. On my first visits to them, I carelessly gathered a few specimens of ores from the debris banks of several of them, without reference to their merit, as sample specimens, and carried them to Guaymas, expecting, however, on my return, to collect ample specimens from all the mines. This I was deterred from doing through the above prohibition.

GENERAL CONCLUSION.

In describing the ancient mines of the San Juan del Rio property and its vicinity, I have confined myself strictly to the results of my own investigations, which were conducted without listening either to suggestions or explanations from any one. It is now but simple justice to remark that these mines have a fame, through tradition, and from the statements of the best people in the country, for former extent and richness, which is scarcely equalled, assuredly not surpassed by any in Mexico.. When it is remembered that a great part of these mines have not been worked for over 120 years, that all have been abandoned for 60 years, and that but few who were acquainted with them were survivors of their activity, it might readily be supposed that however