Yours Sincerely

formed into gorgeous colorful minerals bearing as little resemblance to the original forms and colors as does the butterfly to the chrysallis from which it emerged. There are some very important points to be remembered when on a collecting trip around old mines and prospects. First, as a matter of courtesy you should secure permission from the owners before entering any ground held by right of location or by patent. There is also the fine legal point of trespass not to be ignored. To be considerate of the rights of others should be a fundamental point in the etiquette of a rockhound. For your own safety restrain your curiosity and exercise caution around all old workings. Do not venture too near yawning holes that are not timbered. Never enter tunnels without adequate light and generally speaking the usual pocket flashlight is not adequate. Under no consideration enter mine workings if you are alone. These may seem unnecessary warnings but heed them just the same.

One type of material in particular supports the contention that "almost anywhere" is a good collecting area. The art of the lapidary has been referred to previously. Common stones which can be turned into objects of beauty by the magic of cutting, grinding and polishing are to be found plentifully on the desert floor. In the beds of nearly all water courses are rounded pebbles just waiting to be transformed. It is the artist's sense which sees in the river pebble the beauty to be brought out on the wheel just as the sculptor sees in the rough block of marble the finished statue of grace and beauty.

Here and there in Arizona are sands of many colors the most noted being those of the Painted Desert. Nature flouted these acres of color before the primitive people who accepted the challenge. The brilliant colored sands were gathered, carefully graded as to size and color tone then reverently combined in an intricate design to express some deep thought. The interpretation of these sand paintings are charming stories of the spiritual concepts of a people who saw the Great Spirit in the clouds, heard his voice in the birds, the winds and thunder, and in all Nature recognized his handiwork. Currently colored sands are used to make simple designs in glass containers of various sorts and such are sold generally in our stores. With such material at hand in abundance where is the craftsman to match the skill of one Andrew Clemens who, some fifty years ago or more, in McGregor, Iowa, used similar material to create pictures of indescribable delicacy and beauty in bottles? If collecting the colored sands in vials is too tame a worthy goal has been set for you in these sand pictures of half a century ago.

You will discover that many minerals are delicate and fragile. Others may be able to withstand rough handling. Crystals in general require the most care, especially if they are on the matrix for they can be broken off very easily. As a rule a detached crystal is much less valuable or interesting than one in its original position. Frequently the shock and vibration set up when trimming down the size of a specimen may be sufficient to cause the crystal to snap off and be lost or damaged. Before starting home each specimen should be wrapped separately and with great care.

Exchanging specimens is an excellent way to build up your collection. Our Arizona minerals are acceptable material anywhere. Exchanging is not limited to this country for there are rockhounds everywhere and from foreign lands you may obtain specimens not found on this continent. When you pack specimens for exchange be sure to select a suitable box. Paper cartons are excellent if they are of heavy material and not already damaged. Well wrapped and carefully packed tightly in a suitable box your shipment will go to the limits of the earth and arrive in good condition. If you are tempted to slight the labor in packing just take a few minutes off to see how mail and express are handled then resolve to do a shock-proof job when you pack. You will be doing your share of the job and co-operating with the express company and the post office department.

Most specimens need some cleaning before being placed in the cabinet. Those gathered in a mine and wrapped right there may not require further attention. The best cleaning material is plain water. Only a few minerals are water soluble so there is little cause to be apprehensive on that account. If the specimen has delicate crystals it is safest to run the water on cautiously. If the specimen is massive it can be scrubbed with a brush and water.

Soaking in advance of cleaning will loosen stubborn clay-like material. However, if your specimen is porous, showing a tendency to crumble in its natural state, soaking may be inadvisable. There are some things you must learn by experience. Detergents, acids and other cleansing aids should be used only on competent advice. If such advice is not available study the situation before a specimen is ruined. From your text book you can find out whether the mineral is soluble in either acid or water. Associated minerals on the same specimen must be considered also. Experimenting on separate small pieces is advisable. If such are not available select an obscure part of the specimen for testing. Should the test appear to react adversely a liberal application of clear water will usually halt any action before damage is done.

After your specimen is trimmed, cleaned and dried it is ready to be catalogued. Since the locality is usually quite as important as the proper identification of the mineral the value of your collection will be enhanced if you have a record of where the specimen is from. The date is not especially important except that sometime later it might be helpful in some other connection. To this information you may add such other data as may seem pertinent. The best way to mark your specimens for identification is to paint a small, neat patch with quick-drying enamel on an inconspicuous part, preferably the bottom. After this has dried thoroughly a number can be written in India ink using an ordinary steel pen. Because of the irregularity of surface it may be necessary to apply more than one coat of paint to secure a smooth surface for the number. The simplest way to catalog the specimens is to number them consecutively as you acquire them.

Individual tastes usually determine the manner of arrangement. A few will adhere strictly to the scientific classification by Dana. Others prefer to arrange and rearrange the material frequently to secure different artistic effects. This is especially true of those whose choice of material is governed by the spectacular qualities in each specimen. If you specialize your specialty may dictate the plan of arrangement. Whatever it is you will enjoy the contact with these choice bits of products from Mother Nature's laboratory more and more, especially as you become better acquainted with their characteristics, their properties and how many of them contribute to your comfort and well being.

One type of specialization not previously touched upon, which in the general collection is merely a matter of arrangement, is the fluorescent minerals. Many minerals and certain other substances -your teeth, dyes, some plants and scorpions, to name only a few-when activated by ultra-violet rays produce brilliant colors which beggar description. This phenomenon, detected first in the mineral fluorite which fluoresces when exposed to sunlight, is becoming increasingly important in industry and art as well as affording the mineral collector a convenient medium for enhancing the spectacular features of his collection. With the development of simpler and more efficient ultra-violet lamps some collectors have nothing but fluorescent minerals. Others will segregate in a special cabinet those specimens which show fluorescence. Arizona has its share of gorgeous fluorescent minerals and, what is more intensely interesting, you may search for them at night in the open, using a convenient portable lamp which operates off batteries.

To supplement what you learn from fellow collectors, from your rockhound society meetings and on field trips you will need a book or two. You should choose at first books written expressly for the beginner which successfully bridge the gap between the highly trained mineralogist and the hobbyist. Mineralogy has been humanized in such books as Getting Acquainted With Min-erals by Geo. L. English, Minerals and How to Study Them by Edward S. Dana. If you would acquire a little knowledge of earth history and rocks which you really need to round out your pleasure in minerals you will find Our Amazing Earth and The Rock Book by Carrol Lane and Mildred Adams Fenton fascinating texts adequately covering the subjects.

Now if you feel partly convinced that you might like to take up minerals for your hobby get into your outdoor clothes and strike out for the nearest mountains or stream bed. Take along your pick, the papers, the little note book, the pocket lense and a bag to bring home the plunder. Finally, don't forget the lunch and water for you are sure to tarry late when you look for rocks.

GREETINGS FROM SWEDEN: We wish to write you of our appreciation of the fine, beautiful, honest magazine of the land of our choice as well as birth.

Upon completion of the Masters Degree in Architecture at Harvard University last spring I was awarded the honor of the Rotch Traveling Scholarship in Architecture to Europe. I have been traveling with my wife for seven months all over Europe. We have seen many of the masterpieces of the world in Architecture and have experienced all types of climate and terrain but we have yet to see a more wonderful spot on earth than Arizona. In this state we have such a variety of climate and terrain and perfect weather to enjoy all this, but best of all fine safe highways which make all God's wonders accessible to everyone.

We do appreciate the work of our Arizona Highway Department and its magazine which reveals to us all the wonders we have in our own state. We have carried some ARIZONA HIGHWAYS with us so when people get to bragging on their country, we can nonchalantly pull these out and it really makes their eyes stand out on stems.

Mel C. Ensign Grand Hotel Goteborg, Sweden

IN KOREA: The extra copies of the ARIZONA HIGHWAYS Magazine for October were passed around to people in a very cold room and certainly made a "hit." The December number was received yesterday and is equally beautiful. Several people have asked me if they could subscribe and have the magazine sent over here.

Stanley F. Wilson Seoul, Korea

CACTUS LOVERS: I am in receipt of a copy of the current issue of the magazine that is issued by you. It is one of the most alluring, beautiful and educational for cactus lovers and enthusiasts, ever printed and as president of the Chicago Cactus Society I want to thank you. I intend to contact the members of the Society and perhaps you will be receiving orders for a number of copies, and I hope they will be available.

What I am especially interested in at this time are the beautiful colored illustrations in the magazine. I am wondering if separate prints can be obtained to be mounted and shown as a part of our Cactus Garden to be arranged at the great Flower Show in March. Is it possible for you to supply us with prints - whatever could be spared for the purpose mentioned? Full credit would be given you and I doubt not that we could arrange to call our display "An Arizona Garden," and would give publicity for you and our Society.

Frank K. Balthis Chicago Cactus Society Chicago, Illinois

A BOUQUET FOR JANUARY: I just received the January issue of ARIZONA HIGHWAYS, and I want you and your associate, Mr. George M. Avey, Art Editor, to know that this edition is the most charming and attractive I believe I have ever received from the time ARIZONA HIGH-WAYS was first published.

The photography and color process work is beautifully done. It is a tribute to the craftsmen in your good state, and its attractiveness should prove very beneficial in bringing many visitors to Arizona, the Sunshine Capitol.

I regard the ARIZONA HIGHWAYS magazine as a treasure in my library. As one of the few early pioneer salesmen in Arizona dating back in the early 1880's, I read the articles in your magazine with more than ordinary interest and always look forward with anticipated pleasure to receiving your beautiful magazine. Keep to the front and watch the great State of Arizona keep step with your growth.

Paul J. Wielandy St. Louis, Mo.

VOICE OF THE WEST: We are interested in purchasing fifty copies or more of each issue of your monthly publication, beginning with December, 1946, and continuing through this year.

We are manufacturers of a Western Style of furniture and are introducing a new line, featuring Western qualities. Many of our Eastern buyers have never visited the West. I know of no better way of giving the true, colorful picture of our country out here than through your magazine ARIZONA HIGH-WAYS. I feel you have done an excellent job on your periodical with color, layout and subject matter. We will mail this magazine directly to many of our clients along with our other correspondence.

Robert Burns, Designer Forrest Furniture Mfg. Co. Inglewood, California

This study was made at the Arboretum, near Superior, by Jerry McLain. Here for years experiments have been made to determine which plants show best growth in arid areas of desert. Cactus and desert plants collected for study at Arboretum are varied.

MONUMENT VALLEY

I've seen all this before, I've trod those sands, Looked on those castled rocks, And seen those self-same Billowing clouds Drift gently by, As the warm breeze Dried on my lips The salty sweat. I've walked through here before Long-ages past, Somewhere Way back in Time.

RIBBON

As though on wings so motionless and sure It ribbons out into the great beyond, The manly earth its bosom paramour, An ever-restless tireless vagabond That stretches straight across the plain In rhythmic undulating joy and grace; Then twists and turns and climbs in calm disdain The rugged mountains locked in close embrace To swiftly serpentine its downward flight And flatten out atop some green plateau, From which it bids adieu to mountain height, To woo again the peaceful vales below Where merrily it fingers out so free Much like a gypsy without fixed abodeThe land, its home, encompassed by the seaThat never-ending ribbon called the road.

DESERT SPRINGTIME IN ARIZONA

Slender trumpet, Ocotillo, Scarlet red-Now call the spring! Resurrect the sleeping flowers; Call the birds to nest and sing. Then the spring comes like a virgin, And her moist lips kiss the earth, And the golden Palo Verdes Blossom forth in wondrous birth. The Ironwoods-her filmy veil Dyed in deep wistaria blue; And the chollas and the cacti Trim her dress of saffron hue. See! the strange bird, Paisano, Road Runner or Chap'ral Cock, Tail erect, he spies the lizard From his perch on top a rock. And the Mariposa lilies Growing on the grav'lly hills, Are her chaliced vases, tinted Purple brown, with crimson frills. Then White-Winged Doves come winging north, Nesting where Saguaros grow, To feed their young on wine-red fruit When the hot June breezes blow. Thus the desert springtime passes, Seared with ochre and rust brown; And the virgin's wedding dresses Change into her summer gown.