132 LUTHER BURBANK 



Thousands were in one plot in rows only a few inches 

 apart. 



One thing that especially caused Opuntia to wonder was 

 that he had fewer thorns than they, and he could not un- 

 derstand, as yet, how they could assist him in improve- 

 ment. But later on he learned that each one possessed 

 some good quality that was needed in his development for 

 usefulness. One was more hardy than he, one produced 

 more and better fruit, another had less of the tough fibre and 

 more flesh, and so on. 



A few of them had already been quite useful. A neigh- 

 bor of his from Mexico served as a home for the cochineal 

 bug, which, when dried, makes a famous red dye. One 

 from Italy produced a fruit known as the Indian fig, which 

 was relished by many as a food. Others were used in Aus- 

 tralia, Mexico, and in the southern part of the United States 

 as a food for cattle, after singeing off the thorns. 



When this great company of cactus people blossomed, 

 the work of pollination, or crossing them, began. This must 

 be done in order to combine good qualities, to break up old 

 habits, and to produce variation. It was then that little 

 Opuntia, the cactus child from Mexico, who was now grow- 

 ing thriftily, came into fullest notice, for he was to have 

 special aid in his advancement. 



The cactus differs greatly from other plants. Its flowers 

 are in full bloom only from one-half to two and one-half 

 hours in the hottest time of the day, during the hottest 



