LUTHER BURBANK 



daisy, which never spreads from the seed, unlike 

 its wild prototype. When the Shasta was first 

 introduced, one of the western states passed a law 

 forbidding its growth in the state. At the present 

 time the Shastas are grown by the millions in that 

 state, as well as in all other regions of the world, 

 and no one has ever complained. 



With care in propagating, and reasonable 

 protection, the new spineless Opuntias constitute 

 a race that gives every assurance of permanency. 



Yet it should not be forgotten that this race has 

 been developed under conditions of artificial 

 selection, and may need man's protection while it 

 is establishing itself in any given region. 



The new spineless Opuntias represent a race 

 that has been permitted, through the fostering 

 influence of artificial selection, to develop, not- 

 withstanding its loss of the protective spines. Now 

 that it has been developed, and the spineless con- 

 dition combined with the traits of prolific growth 

 and abundant bearing, the race which could never 

 have made its way under natural conditions may 

 be sent back to the desert to provide forage for 

 browsing animals in almost unbelievable quantity. 



But even now it will be necessary to protect the 

 young plants from the herds. It is only after the 

 Opuntia has attained a fair growth that it could 

 withstand the attacks of the herbivorous animals, 



[216] 



