12 Farmers’ Bulletin 1197. 
Except for immediate use mesquite cordwood should not be cut 
during the spring and summer months. Wood which is cut between 
the middle of October and the latter part of January and which is 
loosely ricked (figs. 16, 17), so that it quickly dries, is usually but 
little injured. The safest period, however, is from the middle of 
October to the end of November. Wood should not be stored longer 
than one year, after which much damage is done by the large powder- 
post beetle. 
I'ic. 17.—Mesquite ricked in open cribs, permitting of rapid seasoning, This is done 
in late fall and winter before the insects fly. 
It has been found that extreme heat prevents attack and kills the 
grubs which may be in the sapwood. Therefore, the best metliod for 
treating posts and more valuable material that has to be cut between 
March and October is to lay them flat on the ground in the sunlight, 
then after two weeks turn bottom side up, and repeat the turning two 
weeks later. Two turns in six weeks are sufficient to kill the grubs 
or prevent attack. This method can be used effectively only between 
April 1 and October 1. 
O 
