LUTHER BURBANK 



ficial dyes that are now used so extensively, some 

 of which are of doubtful wholesomeness. 



In Mexico the crushed fruit of the cactus after 

 peeling and having the seeds strained out is some- 

 times cooked and dried and made into little loaves 

 weighing from one to two pounds each. 



These cakes have a rich, sweet, honey-like fla- 

 vor, to which the Mexicans are very partial. If 

 carefully made they are very appetizing and 

 wholesome. Indeed they constitute an important 

 article of food, and are considered a luxury, hav- 

 ing the qualities of a nutritious confection. 



Cactus fruit, indeed, in any form is in high 

 repute in many tropical countries, being in some 

 regions regarded as of value in renal diseases. 



Relatively large proportions of salts of mag- 

 nesia, soda, potash, and lime in the fruit, in read- 

 ily assimilable form, have been supposed to give 

 it particular value, especially for residents of the 

 tropics. The effect on the digestive organs is also 

 very favorable. Even the leaves of the plant are 

 made into pickles that, in the case of some varie- 

 ties, are regarded as having a flavor equal to that 

 of the cucumber. Most varieties, however, have 

 a mucilaginous quality that is objectionable. This, 

 of course, refers to the tissues of the plant itself, 

 not to the fruit. 



It has been said that the cactus fruit in point 



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