Now that I have given as brief an account as possible of several things connected with our subject, it will be well to return to the valleys, treating of each one separately, as I have already done of the provinces and villages of the Sierra. But first I will say somewhat concerning the fruits, other food, and works of irrigation which are to be found in them.

All the land of these valleys, which is not reached by the sand, forms one of the most fertile and abundant regions in the world, and the one best suited for cultivation. I have already mentioned that it does not rain, and that the water for irrigation is drawn from the rivers which descend from the mountains and fall into the South Sea. In these valleys the Indians sow maize, which is reaped twice in the year, and yields abundantly. In some parts they grow yucas, which are useful for making bread and liquor when there is want of maize. They also raise sweet potatoes, the taste of which is almost the same as that of chesnuts, besides potatoes, beans, and other vegetables.

Throughout all the valleys there is also one of the most singular fruits I ever saw, called pepinos, of very pleasant smell and taste. There are great quantities of guayavas, guavas, and paltas, which are like pears, guanavanas, caymitos, and the pines of those parts.