The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-07-13

tfyDdtIt ~ yti1cf tIg4p " INC pine
family II 30 difHcuit Of Identification
as me species of JunsDsrus The dis
tinguishiBg cbaracterisiics Of those
long known are even now 10 imper-
fectly understood. except BY 3 few
specialists, that forms Of the different
species occurring In the same region
are constantly confused With few
exceptions. they are exceedingly dif-
iicult trees to distinguish in all stages
Of their growth. even with the fullest
assortment Of towering. fraiting and
foliage specimens. such as few her
baria possess Much very critical
study Is needed also Of trees as they
grow In their native habitat where,
frequently. they show specific charac-
tefs which may well be added 70 what
mast. al best. often be meager de-
gcrlptIvs picture. Az good evidence
Of the difficulties these trees present,
one has only 70 point 70 the fact that
such really distinct species as Juni-
perug viFginiana. Of northeastern
United States. and J. baTbadengls, Of
the south Atlantic and Gulf region.
should hare remained so long con
founded with each other: or that the
equally distinct. but stiIl little known.
JuaIperus scopulorum should have
been 80 long supposed 70 be only
Rocky mountain and far-western form
Of the eastern Virginia red cedar. 1t
fs probable that very much Is yet to
be learned about our jumpers. a criti-
cal field study Of which must yield
still other new species.
One mostimDortant work which
members Of the forest service are do.
Ing now IN the national forests, and
aside from their other economic for
est work. Is the careful scrutiny Of
trees. Wherever found, for the purpose
of determining their limits Of range
The present organized body Of men In
charge of and conducting inyestlga
tIone upon these forest lands consti-
tute an exceptional corps Of trained
workers. through whose observations
very much new Information has AL
ready been added to our knowledge Of
North American trees. II Ia only
through the combined efforts of inyes.
tigators. each working carefully over
bis portion Of the territory. that we
can eyer hope 10 know all OF the trees
we have and exactly where their linn
ITS of range are.
Mr.. w X. Mattoon, assistant forest
inspector IN the forest service, has re-
Gently collected notes. photographs,
and specimens which enable the
writer TO distinguish a remarkably
unique species Of juniper. for which
propose the name Juniperus d sa-
locarpa; the specific part of the name
refers to the strikiLsiy large fruit THIS
tree bears An appropriate common
name would seem 10 be. Big-fruit Juni-
per. 80 far az is known, the tree has
no field name, not being distinguished
from other jumpers Of cedars" Of It's
range,
At present this species. which was
fret seen BY Mr.. Matto0n, September
". 1906. is known 10 occur In only
one locality This is approximately
in scctl0n II or A. township nine
south. range 20 west, Of the ella Ma
tional Forest. n M The location Is
midway between the towns Of Alma
and Frisco. and about three miles
above the San francisco river. Twen-
ty 70 30 trees form an orchard.llke
stand on an alIuyial sandy terrace a
dozen feet above the stream, while
below the point, stretching for pos.
ably a mile. occur scattered single
trees and email groups ID similar sit-
uations. or at the bottom OF the dry,
rocky canyon slope, which bears a
scanty growth Of pin0n pine. alligator
juniper, one.aeed juniper, and scrub
OAK. The elevation OF the stream bed
near which the treec occur. Is about
800 feet, and the tree ranges within
100 feet above the stream. Forest
Ranger William H. Goddard reports
having seen juniper which may
prove 10 be Juniperus megaIocarpa, on
small tributary o. San Francisco
river. about six miles west Of Pleas
anton. some 30 miles from the above
locality. in New Mexico and near the
Arizona line
Iuniperus megal0carpa Il d short,
thlehtrunked tree. 30 to SO feet high
and two to four feet Ia diameter, With
broad. oval. rounded, compact crown
Of short, stout branches. The branch
lets are short, very dense, and
clothed with pale. yellowish.green
foliage sometimes bronze.gfeen or,
on young trees often with a wEitlsh
lgIhucoue) tinge The leaves are IA
ihfoes, acute. closely pressed upon the
bfanchlota. mostly with minute