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March 21, 2012 CRYSTAL HILL FROM PAGE 8 (BLM) dug a well and put in a covered facility for the campers. Back in 1939 when we bought Mr. Mott's honeybee outfi t he had been keeping bees near the Scott's Twelve Mile Well for many years and before him when the bee outfi t was owned by George Hutson. Mr. Mott told us that the nectar gathered from the mesquite trees around the Twelve Mile produced a most delicious and beautiful honey, so we continued the tradition. After we had kept honeybees in the area for more than four decades, we received a letter that the range fee we had paid all those years would no lon- ger be accepted. It had been decided that the animals and birds were being disturbed by the traffi c and that off- road vehicles were causing erosion. We were in favor of protecting the desert horn sheep, but knew they were as curious about us as we were of them. I say this because we spent hours ob- serving these stately animals in the lens of our cameras. It took long hours of waiting for a desert bighorn to come into view. Once they spotted us, they would spend an hour or so observing us, gradually coming closer and closer but if we made a sudden movement, they simply disappeared in a fl ash. www.DesertMessenger.com Honeybees would no longer be per- mitted on the range, and that was that. We pointed out that honeybees pol- linate the mesquite and other trees of the bean family that grow in the Kofa Natural Wildlife Refuge and many animals depend upon the beans of the Palo Verde, ironwood, catsclaw, and mesquite among others as a staple to their diet, especially the majestic desert big horn sheep and the desert mule deer. In addition, the coyote and desert gray fox will not hesitate to eat mesquite beans if they are unsuc- cessful at catching enough rodents to satisfy their appetite. Since the jack- rabbit does not usually drink water, it depends upon the succulent cactus and a variety of beans produced by success- fully pollinated plants. The desert cot- tontail rabbit is not as effi cient as the jackrabbit in surviving without water and depends upon the beans that drop from surrounding trees. The mound of a desert wood rat contains mesquite bean casings and the nest beneath its mound is a marvel of construction with thick walls providing protection with shredded mesquite bark lined with soft grasses. The cactus mouse loves the fruit produced on cacti visited by hon- eybees. Their cousin, the Bannertail kangaroo rat shuns water and instead stuffs their cheek pouches with the tiny seeds from pollinated desert fl owers. The hills of the Kofa National Wild- life Refuge are alive with beauty and majesty. In the way of nature, the cycle continues as each of these des- ert animals leave their droppings that hopefully contain pollinated seeds, en- suring future generations of plants for their offspring. FOR THE BUYER WHO WANTS THE BEST Experience the privacy of 46 acres on Salome Rd with a 2,300 sq ft 3 bedroom 2 bath home. Beautiful knotty pine inte- rior, fireplace, library, study, family room & more. 5 structures on this lovely ranch include a bunk house, tack shed, guest home, recreation room, art studio & more. Extensive gardens, landscaped and pati- os. 2 wells. Perfect location for an RV Park, Dude Ranch or your own private ranch. Page 9 $350,000 OR OFFER Quartzsite 928-927-5551 • Bouse 928-851-2244 • Parker 928-669-9268 BETTY HUNTER, INC. REALTOR www. BettyHunterRealty.com EVERYTHING MUST GO! SOCK-IT-TO-ME Parts • Accessories • Repair TUES.-SAT. 10am-4pm SUN.MON.CLOSED 360 E. MAIN ST. QUARTZSITE Alternative MARCHing FORTH SALE Therapies Reiki Massage Hypnosis Ear Candling Nutritional Products Mary Kay Consultant Barbara Lancaster, R.N., C.H.T., R.M.T. 928-927-5858 • 928-785-7182 Palm Plaza #8 • 255 N. Central Blvd. • Quartzsite Take an extra 2% ** savings each day (March 21 x 2 = 44% OFF) * 50% 52% 54% 56% 58% 60% 62% 40% 42% 44% 46% 48% Closed end of March ...see ya in November! Stock up now! ... even socks! TYSON WELLS CENTRE FRONT ROW 800-565-7593 **2 % per day off retail price..... or current sale price... whichever is less Happy Spring Hurry in! *while supplies last!