Page:Pictures of life in Mexico Vol 2.djvu/111

Rh the surface of the more arid regions. Fair and promising crops have absolutely withered away because the shallow streams in their vicinity have dried up; and as the constitution and habits of the people are opposed to all innovation in the shape of improvement in many instances no provision whatever is made for irrigation. In some districts, certainly there are large drains or ditches (acequias), from which individual farmers are allowed to form minor drains and reservoirs; but too often the former are allowed to remain out of repair and the latter are wholly unused.

The elevated plains in the temperate region afford excellent grazing lands; for though the ground is occasionally too dry for agricultural purposes, it produces remarkably fine nutritious grass. This grama is most valuable immediately after the rainy season; it is frequently left on the ground to become hay during the winter, in which state it supplies the earth with abundant food, without the trouble of having it cut and stacked. Stacks of oca, or fodder, are often to be seen in the vicinity of the farm-houses; but as a rule, little provision of this kind is cared for.

Mud fences and walls of adobé bricks are