The copper era and Morenci leader., 1918-12-27
TO RAISE RUBBER ON
 AMERICAN DESERTS

The transformation of vast areas of desert land in western Texas, southern New Mexico and northern Mexico, adjacent to Fl Paso into wealth producing fields of "guayle" or Mexican rubber is possible if plans outlined in a pamphlet prepared by 'Romulo Escobar of the Escobar Bros Agricultural school are carried out. A copy of the pamphlet has just been received by Roland Harwell, counCy farm agent.
 Hitherto plans for the growing of guayule in the southern part of the United States, particularly south of Tucson, Ariz., have been based upon the growing of the plant with irriga- tion and cultivation. The carefully thought-out plans of MT. Escobar, how ever, contemplate the propagation of the plant cn desert areas without special cultivation orr irrigation. When once started on desert area, the plant would propagate naturally by the scattering of seeds by the wind, he believes.
 Difficult to Start
 The chief difficulty, MT. Escobar states, is in getting the plant started, there will be no great trouble, in getting the plants to- spread over a considerable area when once started He recommends that vigorous plants on high land be left without cutting, so that seeds can be dissemi- mated by the action of the wind, and that other wild plants be destroyed SC as to favor the rapid spread of the guayule.
 The pamphlet prepared by MT Escobar goes eXhauStively into the whole subject of the history, propa gation and preparation of the guayule for commercial purposes.
 Used by Aztecs
 Interesting facts in regard to the origin of the guayule are noted by i MT. Escobar. He states that the ancient Aztecs used the guayule fol l iOA playing 'tel rebote'' or handball.
 About 70 years ago MT. Escoba1 notes that in Parras, Ccahuila, min CTS used the plant known as '.jihute,' as combustible, and that children masticated the wood to extract the rubber from which they made rubber balls
 He Gifferentiates the plant, whose oentat tum, from the 'maricla.'' II Uws wild in the states of Chihua hua, CoahuiIa, Neuvo Leon, Zacatecas Duraneo and San Luis Potosi, where where large aress have been com pletely devastated for commercial purposes.
 How 1t Is Extracted
 He a SC treats on the subject of the extraction Of the rubbe~, of which the o'ant contains 14 per cent, by grinding mi''s, nd competed by dessicatior and refinement.
 The name Indian rubber" was ap piled by the English chemist, Priestly ] nTr. Fscobar states, because of the fact that the material came from In dia and was first aplied to the mak ing of erasers to remove pencil marks
 Thus far no systematic plans foI the introduction of the guayule in th' region about Fl Paso has been made MT. Harwell believes, however, tha the plans of MT. Escobar will prov feasib'e if the initial difficulty. of get ing tNe plants started can be over come.
 The plant is hardy and needs bu itte moisture, and grows best at al ~ltitude above 5000 feet, Mr. Esco bar states. He has grown some plant "vrerimentally at the school
 Tn case a rubber tire factcry Wa established at Fl Paso, as h"s beeI sugge~ ed recently, the ruLb"r pro drccd from euayulc would lind ready market.
 
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