282 



ARBORICrULTURE 



timber trees which are scattered and 

 quite difficult to remove for shipment. 



The pine is not dense as a forest, and 

 while in the aggregate there is a con- 

 siderable quantity it is ditlicult of access 

 and generally not of the highest quality. 

 Pine lumber sells in the cities at from 

 $50 to $35 per thousand feet. 



The pine which is accessible is being 

 made into lumber and fuel. By far too 

 large a quantity of i)ine is being cut into 

 fuel, as coal is scarce and expensive on 

 account of long distances for transporta- 

 tion. 



Oak is also largely used for fuel for 

 engines. It is not of a character to be 

 very useful in construction. The trees 

 are short-bodied, the grain, twisting and 

 interlocked, is very difficult to work with 

 ordinary tools. The variety seems to be 

 closely related to the English oak, Quer- 

 cus Rober. While some of the trees are 

 of fair size, the majority is dwarf and of 

 slight commercial value. Its location, 

 upon mountain slopes with slight mois- 

 ture, would naturally prevent a vigorous, 

 healthy growth. 



MESQUIT. 



The most numerous of trees upon the 

 table lands is the mesquit. which is of 

 extremely slow growth and seldom at- 

 tains a diameter of ten inches, with a 

 very short trunk and low head. The wood 

 is heavy, close-grained and durable. 

 When large enough it is sought for and 

 made into cross ties, although far more 

 is used for fuel, of which great quantities 

 are taken to the railroads for shipment. 



ASH. 



Ash is planted in all the plazas, and 

 frequently upon the streets, making a 

 handsome shade and beautiful trees. It 

 is said to have been indigenous to Mex- 

 ico, but close ol)servation has failed me 

 in finding any ash except where planted 

 by man. The variety much resembles 

 Fraxinus Alba of the Northern rnitod 

 States. One reason for not thinking il 

 an indigenous tree is the habit of casting 

 its leaves at various seasons; one tree in 

 full leaf, another almost bear: one tree 

 with seed ripe and falling, another quite 

 immature. Since this tree has become 



uaiuralized, as it were, and is of high 

 value in the arts, it should be planted in 

 forest as a timber tree, for profit. 



SAUZ (WILLOW). 



All along many ditches and in moist 

 localities large numbers of willow trees 

 have been planted, Salix Babylonica be- 

 ing common. As an ornamental tree, 

 for shade, it is well adapted, but it pos- 

 sesses no economic value for timber. It 

 would lie better were the eucalyptus 

 planted in such places, if only for fuel, 

 cutting out alternate trees from time to 

 time. These trees are not killed by cut- 

 ting. They are soon reproduced from 

 the stump. 



CHAKCOAL. 



Owing to the slight need of fuel for 

 heating purposes there are no stoves, fur- 

 naces or fireplaces in Mexican homes. In 

 the kitchen ranges and ovens charcoal is 

 preferred, and in this form the fuel is 

 brought in on burros and is on sale every- 

 where. 



ARTIFICIAL FUEL. 



Is imported from Wales, made from coal 

 screenings, with asphalt or coal tar as a 

 binder, and compressed into uniform 

 blocks 5x6x8 inches, with rounded edges, 

 one railway, the International, using this 

 exclusively. Althouorh handled frequent- 

 ly, on shipboard and cars, it holds its 

 form without much breaking. This has 

 il high ]\i-A\ ing power. 



Nature has been very nrofuse in her 

 gifts of plants to Mexico. The llora is 

 verv extensive. Climate, soil, moisture, 

 continuous growth, all combine to favor 

 arboreal creations. ^Magnificent flowers, 

 varied foliage, delicious odors, grand dis- 

 plays of tropic and semi-troi)ic plants, 

 but in economic timber trees there seems 

 to be a serious scarcity. 



In order to create a sensation in which 

 their scientific (?) investigations should 

 be exploited, certain professors from the 

 Field Columbian Museum, of Chicago, 

 have resurrected the brutal sun dance 

 among the Indians, which the Indian De- 

 partment has been trying for years to 

 I)real< uu. The sooner such science (?) 

 i< abolished the better for civilization. 



