Rocky Ford enterprise., 1912-10-18

ana tne term desert gem
orally conveys the idea OF large sand
plains devoid OF all plant growth to those who
have not seen them. But this is quite wrong
impression, for there is hardly square mile
anywhere In Seriland where some kind of tree or
cactus cannot be found. though there may not be
any water for miles around. This fact makes the
botany OF this region most interesting study.
for IL the vegetation were not provided with spe-
cial means of obtaining and storing water, II
could not survive. All the trees and plants are
perennias and have enormously long roots. The
mesquite tree (Prosopis julihora) and the palo-
verde (Parkinsonia torreyana) are the most com
mon and the former bears kind of fruit or
beam which the Indians grind into corn. | re-
member once when travelling in the "Malpais' of
Sonora | obliged to rely for whole month
on these mesquite beans alone to feed my horses
and pack animals, for grass is practically absent
on these plains except for very coarse variety
called "gaeta" by the natives which is some
times found in small patches. II says much for
the nutritive value of the mesquite bean that
lost none OF my animals. and only one mule
seemed to be suffering towards the end of the
time. Most of the lowlying country is covered
with the Sonoran grease-wood tLarrea triden-
tata). a small green bush of no value at ALL but
1t is ubiquitous throughout Sonora. except in the
mountains. But the really characteristic plant
in Seriland is the cactus. which abounds in a
variety of forms. They all have very long roots.
some of which descend thirty feet to fifty feet
to reach water. The stem itself Is formed OF
pulp. that grows round a wooden core. and this
serves as storehouse for the water they obtain.
epidermis to prevent evaporation and fur
nished with thorns. which effectually prevent
animals from feeding them. The "saguarro'
or giant castus (Cereus giganteus) is the most
imposing, rising often to height OF fifty or sixty
feet 1t may be in vast numbers the
plains and the lower part of the mountain
slopes. and it assumes endless variety of
shapes. ranging from the single straight stem to
when they in flower. for at the end of each
those containing fifteen twenty arms To
those who them for the first time they GER
tainly present remarkable sight. especially when
they in flower. for at the end of each branch
they bear wreath crown of fragrant yellow,
rose or purple flowers No less unusual are the
organpige cactus. "pithahaya" (Cereus shot
til. They grow in clumps of eighteen twenty
stems. and reach height of fifteen feet to
twenty feet. A cactus is the bisnaga. a
smaller form of the saguarro; but 1t has pc
culiar quality, which makes 1t very valuable both
to the Indians and to travellers in the country.
for 1t is the only plant from which water fit to
drink may be obtained The best way is to cut
off the top and to crush the pulp within with
piece of wood stone. Two to four pints of
water can then be scooped out with a cup, the
amount depending the size of the plant. Ex-
cept for rather sicky taste. the water ia not
unpleasant.
There is another unusual plant also found in
this region-the "ocotillo" (Fouquiera spen-
dens). This remarkable shrub. which sometimes
attains height of fifteen feet, is composed of
a number of long, thin branches covered with
thorns, and bears the most brilliant scarlet
flowers.
Once each year, Just after the short summer
rains the country wakes from It's long drought
to belated spring. Gay-colored flowers nod
among the rocks, and the cactus blossoms relieve
the otherwise somber landscape But this change
In the face of the country is as transient 1t is