Imperial Valley press., 1932-03-08

rangement.
The heat of the California sun
was scorching hot as the three little
Mexican cabollor trotted faithfully
over the winding desert trail. The
three Spaniards on the backs of
the little horses were very sWeaty
and hot. About every half hour
they would stop, crane their necks,
and look to see if there was any
shade in sight. At last Senor Jaun
saw a small tree which gave well
come shade. Upon arriving at the
spot where the tree was growing,
the men found that they had neV-
er seen tree of this type before.
II am sure" said Don Jose, that
we are the first men to set eyes
on this tree, therefore, it is our
duty to name it,
For some time after tnls speech
the three men were silent. Final
ly Don Carlos broke the stiffness.
It have just thought of an excel
lent name. Why not call it palo
verde, meaning polegreen' or green
pole in English?
Your idea is we'll enough, but
1 prefer 'allivia do oro,' Shower of
gold. This name is appropriate
because of the beautiful yellow
blossoms on the tree" said Senor
Juan.
"Oh no brothersl 1 have thought
of a name far more nice. We shall
call the tree 'cerciduim totorrey-
anum', meaning greenwood tree -,
stated Don Jose.
Come, come, this will not do, we
shall call the tree all three names
as they are all good. We must
think of getting firewood and, if
possible something green to eat. 1t
has been so long since we have
eaten greens that I would relish
some" and thus saying Don Carols
began breaking some of the small
branches off the tree. Don Jose
found, after experimenting that the
green pod which hung on the tree
could safely be eaten, but, there
were so few of them that the men
did not have enough for a good
meal.
After eating their scant meal the
men began to do various small
tasks Senor Juan at once started
: a fire to keep animals and bugs
, away but soon had to put it out
as the odor was too strong.
Days passed. Finally our weary
little party reached a small town
! nestled by little stream, in one OF
, the hotted parts of the desert.
After refreshing themselves with
; food and wine, the men began tc
tell the town people about the tree
AS Don Jose was the best spokes-
E man of the group, the people want.
!, ed him to do the talking. well,
!, he began, this tree is very beauti
= full 1t is fully 10 feet tall, ant
: about so feet in circumstance.
= has long, thin, green leaves anC
: was covered with white, yellow, anC
red blossoms. There were also {
few green pods on the branches
: These were about three inches Ions
, !, and, I think, came after the bios
!, SONS because they are SO few.
1--WE made a fire of the wood
but had to put it out as it made
: such an odor. The pods are gooC
S to eat if soaked in water. I noticed
that several birds were making
their homes in the branches o
! this tree. Truly, I believe we have
S made a wonderful find"
5 At that time people believed tina
!. these three men had really discov
l cred this little tree, but years o
1 investigating prove they had not
e There are many things that Seno
D Juan, Don Carlos, and Don JOS
t did not know.
First, that many centuries be
l fore they were born, the Indian
: had discovered this tree, had named
e it, had burned it for fuel and hac
e eaten its pods.
e Second, that there were man,
: more uses than those they had stat
S ed. In late years, the bark ant
peth of the palo verde tree ha
T. been used for rope, medicine, anC
cheap paper. The flowers and pod
furnish food, fuel, and timber, fo
animals and humans, also hone,
for bees. When planted as eithe
= tree or hedge the palo verde beau
D titles the surrounding county.
I Third, that the tree had man,
o more names than those they gave
: Most of these were applied by sci
7 entists. Jerusalem Thorn, becaus
+ of the thorns on the tree and Park
! inson, a famous scientist, are pop
ular ones.
Fourth, that this tree grew il