THE CACTUS 153 



As A FAMINE PREVENTER 



It has been estimated that the improved Opun- 

 tias produce foliage and fruit so abundantly 

 that they could be grown advantageously on 

 land that cost even one thousand dollars an acre. 



Analyses made by the Agricultural Depart- 

 ment of the State University of California have 

 shown that the new varieties greatly exceed the 

 old ones in nutritive qualities. Yet even the un- 

 developed Opuntias have long been recognized, 

 particularly by the peoples of the Mediterranean 

 as having high food value. 



The importance of the new plants as sup- 

 pliers of food for human beings, in regions sub- 

 ject to occasional or habitual shortage, has been 

 recognized by several governments. 



The German Government before the World 

 War was testing these new Opuntias at several 

 places in its possessions in Africa. 



In parts of India where famines threaten 

 and from time to time destroy millions of people, 

 my new spineless cactus is being planted for 

 the purpose of tiding the people over in the 

 years of famine, even if not used as a part of the 

 regular dietary. 



The plants have been introduced to Aus- 

 tralia. They are also being tested in Brazil, 



