RECLAIMING THE EARTH 



farms, held in Salt Lake City, showing the 

 splendid quality of crops grown, aroused the 

 deepest interest, it was an object-lesson in the 

 possibilities of arid farming. So it appears 

 conservative to say that on the hundreds of 

 thousands,' indeed millions, of arid acres, which 

 are not likely to come under the influence of 

 direct irrigation, profitable crops are now to be 

 raised in absolute disregard of the sun and the 

 drought. 



Fourth among the significant factors in the 

 reclamation of the desert lands of America, is 

 the remarkable work of Luther Burbank in 

 breeding cacti which are food both for man and 

 beast. Through all the centuries, the cactus 

 has been faithful to the desert, however bitter 

 a foe to man and beast. It will thrive where, 

 perhaps, no other vegetation will grow, and, 

 taking this into account, Mr. Burbank spent 

 many years of his life in breeding a cactus free 

 from spines and thorns, and having a high per 

 cent of nutriment. There were thornless cacti, 

 or those practically so, in various parts of the 

 world, but they were not of the type he wished, 

 not so rich, not capable of growing as he 

 planned they should grow in all climates wher- 



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