May 24,1924 Significance of the Southwestern Desert Vegetation 
801 
Table XXXV .—The capability of lands for crop production as indicated by the 
principal plant communities of the Southwestern Desert 
Type of vegetation 
Condition of 
vegetation 
Is land capable of crop production under irrigation? 
Creosote bush. 
Desert-sage.. 
Mesquite and chamiso. 
Chamiso__ 
Mesquite thicket_ 
Seep weed. .. 
Good growth.... 
Poor growth_ 
Good growth_ 
Poor growth_ 
Rank growth_ 
Saltbush and arrow- 
weed. 
Saltbush.. 
Pickleweed.... 
Saltgrqss..... 
Y ucea — cactus and 
giant cactus—palo- 
verde 
Poor growth.... 
Yes. 
Doubtful because of stony soil or layer of rock or hardpan. 
Yes. 
Doubtful because of presence of hardpan or alkali or both. 
Not the greater part, small more level tracts for special crops. 
Yes. 
Yes; if handled so that salts are leached out. 
Probably if secondary growth on abandoned land. If virgin 
growth, salt must be leached out and land drained. 
Salts must be leached out. Drainage may be necessary. 
Yes; if it is drained. 
Do 
Only if it is drained and salts are leached out. 
Do. 
Usually too stony or slope too steep. 
