158 LUTHER BURBANK 



amount of paper stock varies much in the dif- 

 ferent species. The expert estimate of the fiber 

 as a stock for the making of the finest paper, 

 including banknote paper, has been so enthusi- 

 astic that it might be well to devote attention to 

 the breeding of some of the spineless Opuntias 

 with an eye to the development of the fiber, so 

 that this by-product of the plant may become of 

 value as a source of paper stock; also for the 

 making of leather board. 



One striking peculiarity of the Opuntia fiber 

 is that it is bleached without any preparation. 

 When the pulp is removed, the remaining fiber 

 is white, and ready for use without necessitating 

 the usual process of bleaching. 



So the Opuntia which develops its enormous 

 weight or tonnage of forage and its abundant 

 supply of food for man in the early stages of its 

 growth, will subsequently, without relinquishing 

 its original function, produce supplies of fiber 

 that may be of value. The rapidity and growth 

 of the plant would insure the production of such 

 quantities of material as to give it a certain im- 

 portance even if it could be grown only on arable 

 lands; but the quantity is at best relatively 

 small. That it can be grown also on many other- 

 wise waste places is obviously an additional merit 

 of the first grade. 



