The San Angelo press. (San Angelo, Tex.) 1897-1907, 1905-08-31
The LAZY MESQUITE
A Few Things of Interest Concer1-
ing this Horticultural "ChiId of
the Desert"

questions in the southwest is the
proper Classification of the ma
tive mesquite plants. The SUI
preme court of Arizona in 1897
decided that this pioneer of the
desert was not timber in the
meaning of the United States
statutes and was not entitled TO
profession afforded bv the public
timber laws. Professor Wootpn
mas classified this plant as Pro-
sopls julillura and Prosopis velu-
tina. the latter being an arboreal
from the mesquite. This classlti-
cation may be necessary, but by
some it is regarded as only one
variety, and any difference is due
entirely to locality, soil, wind
and various other conditions and
not to variation in the Organic
species
Along the Colorado river 1t has
attained the height of thirty-hve
feet and IN some instances sixty
five feet on the Santa Cruz river
near Tuscon, with many other in
stances of similar growth
throughout Texas, Arizona and
New Mexico. 1t also continues
to receive due recognition as the
principal fuel of the country, not
outstanding the ban placed up
on 1T, and gives warmth alike to
the just and the unjust, Under
the most favorable conditions,
which are found on the higher,
we'll. drained bottom lands, 1t at
tains large size, ranging from
eighteen to thirty inches in diam
eter Under such conditions it
accumulates in its widespread
ing branches large quantities Of
fuel timber, ranging from few
hundred TO rs many as LOCO
cubic feet.
AS an economic plant the mes
quite has not received general
recognition beyond fuel and for
fencing, although it also enters
largely into the constructions Of
native houses. Almost all the
Spanish residences Of Arizona
and New Mexico have used mos-
quite in their buildings. 1t is
also utilized by the Indians in
the construction of their tepees,
hogang, jicals and lodges, when
ever it can be obtained. The
wood has a close, hard grain and
Il specific gravity greater than
onk 1t weighs 1900 lbs to the
cord and one cord is equal to
something over a ton of coal. The
heart wood has deep, rich
brown color. 1t admits of fine
polish and would make beautiful
veneering. The sap wood is
white, with q tinge Of yellow
when seasoned.
AS an ornamental or shade
tree, the mesquite has been neg
lected, possibly because it is a
slow grower and is also difficult
to transplant. Naturally it is a
handsome tree In form it is not
unlike fruit tree, especially the
large and prolific growing vari.
, cites of the apple tree. The mes
; quite groves on the river bottom
often resemble the old apple or.
chards of the east. The branches
are strong, yet simple and yield
, ing; the heavy foliage of pima
ted, compound leaves are moved
by the slightest breeze. Mes
quite beans, doubtless, have
: formed the staple food produc,
t among the American Indians Of
the arid regions during many
: ages. 1t is the nutritious pods
: more than the beans which ar,
! rellshed and used by the Indians
: Every stockman in the mes
! quite countries figures on thu
bean crop as an important foil
c age. Cattle and horses grow ia
: on it and profit or loss depends il
4: many localities upon it's success
or failure. The beans are Otter
: gathered and stored, ranchmeI
/. preferring them to oats or barley
The tree usually produces TIVE
crops, the first rlpening during
July and the second in Septem
Der. In Mexico a third crop i
often obtained. The leaves ais,
} form valuable forage and TIN
budding mesquite thickets il
Apri! and May frequently afforc
the only sustenance for thous
ands of emaciated cattle. 1t i
! not lnfrequently the only safe
R guard against starvation wher
summer rains fail and the gras
dries up. Stock do not thriv
: upon the leaves alone, but tn
D bean crop may usually be relie'
R upon to prepare them for market
The bark Of the tree contains
! high per cent of tannin, but OF
! account of the difficulty in re
u | 4 81 80