Opuntia Fruit as an Article of Food. 6g 



far as the writer knows, only resorted to by Indians, who gather 

 for their own consumption. 



The knife in the hand of an experienced gatherer, can be made 

 to detach a great quantity of fruit in a day. It is much used along 

 the table-lands of Mexico on the great estates where the Opuntia 

 grows to perfection; and the Iruit by various means rendered 

 profitable to the owners. The blade of the knife is made of steel 

 and is inserted into the split end of a long strong stick, the length 

 of which enables the gatherer of Tnnas to reach with the knife 

 blade the joint bearing ripe fruit. The plants are often eight to 

 fifteen feet high. The fruit is arranged around the outer rim of 

 the joints, so, when the gatherer brings the knife blade to the 

 joint, he separates by a (juick turn that part bearing the fruit, and 

 as quickly thrusting the blade into the severed part, brings it to 

 the ground, when the fruit it soon denuded of its fine spines and 

 remo\ed. Plants present an odd appearance after the terminal 

 joints have been thus removed, but suffer no injury and the frag- 

 ments readily take root and form new plants. 



REMOVING THE SKINS FROM THE FRUIT. 



It is surprising what a quantity of fruit can be deprived of 

 skins and prepared for the palate by one pair of experienced 

 hands. A thin slice is removed from each end of the fruit; a slit 

 isthen made through the peeling along the length of the fruit. The 

 fingers jM-ess downward cjuickly the separated skin leaving the 

 pulpy fruit exposed in a tempting manner. Thus prepared, the 

 fruit is one of the sweetest, most nutritious and refreshing of fruits, 

 mealy and juicy, most agreeable for the warmer seasons of the 

 year in the United States. Especially is this fruit adapted for 

 the breakfast-table, when the languid body needs something to 

 aid digestion. If kept as cool as a watermelon, it will prove far 

 more agreeable than that fruit, being of a similar fia\'or with that 

 of the strawberry added, and it is healthier, more nutritious and 

 longer in season than the watermelon. 



This fruit is to be found in the Mexican markets in abundance 

 and very cheap five months in the year, and is consumed by all 

 classes and conditions of peoj)le. Venders are to be seen along 

 all the roads. Along the Mexican Central Railroad the earliest 

 Tuna is ripe in June and the latest varieties disappear in Novem- 

 ber, and you are ofifered them in small dishes, with the epidermis 

 removed, a thorn from the mesquit tree to carry the tempting 

 morsel to the mouth. 



This_ fruit is finding its way all along the frontier of the United 

 States, and this winter I saw some fine fruit on a stand in Jack- 

 sonville, Fla., for sale. 



Americans and foreigners consume this fruit with equal avidity 

 with the Mexican and praise the flavor. When as well known in 

 this country as in Mexico it will be utilized to the fullest degree. 



Edzvard Palmer. 



