THE VALUE OF MESQUITE FOR THE RURAL SOUTHWEST - FINE LUMBER AND SOIL IMPROVEMENT

Mesquite has great value as lumber and fuelwood,and its high-carbohydr ate pods are suitable as food for humans, domestic livestock, and wild life. It is, however, detested by ranchers because it invades cattle p astures. Recent evidence suggests that silvicultural practices of thin ning and intercropping may provide a permanent reduction in encroachme nt of young seedlings,an increase in soil fertility from nitrogen fixa tion, and a source of fine, reddish brown furniture-grade lumber on wh ich significant new industries can be based. Such industries would ben efit rural areas in many parts of the world as well as the American So uthwest.