2 BULLETIN 208, U. S. DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE. 



YIELDS AT BROWNSVILLE. 



THE FIRST PLANTING. 



In March, 1908, the first planting of native varieties of prickly pear 

 was made on a small scale at Brownsville. At this time two 8-foot 

 rows 458 feet long were established on one side of a varietal collection 

 planted the same summer. Single-joint cuttings were plowed under, 

 as described in previous publications, at a distance of 3 feet apart in 

 the row. This planting was given moderately good cultivation. 

 The middles were kept clean, but often Bermuda grass and other 

 vegetation were allowed to grow in the rows. 



In the latter part of October, 1909, or at the end of the second 

 growing season, row 2 was cut and weighed. In harvesting this row, 

 a good stump (PI. I, figs. 1 and 2) consisting of one to four cuttings, 

 but never over one cutting high, was left attached to the original cut- 

 ting, set 19 months before. The total material harvested in this 

 manner weighed 17,060 pounds, or 8.53 tons. This showed a yield 

 at the rate of 100.721 tons to the acre for two seasons' growth, or 

 50.36 tons per acre per annum. 



The first row was not harvested at this time, but was reserved 

 until the following February to be cut and used in establishing a 

 6-acre planting. This row is believed to have yielded considerably 

 more than row 2, harvested in the fall. 



In considering these yields, attention should be given to several 

 conditions. It is estimated that not less than 2 tons per acre were 

 left on the ground in the stumps, besides the original cuttings. 

 The increase in weight between October and March, when the 2-year 

 period would be complete, would, in the absorption of water and in 

 growth, amount to several tons per acre. The harvesting was done 

 at a time when the pear contained the least moisture, for it followed 

 a very long dry season. In short, this test is hedged about by such 

 conditions that the results in yield as given appear to be ultra- 

 conservative. 



SPECIES PLANTED. 



As previously stated, the native species of prickly pear of the Rio 

 Grande delta are unique (PL II, fig. 2). They differ from any that 

 have been encountered elsewhere. What is more, they were entirely 

 unstudied when our investigations were begun. A reference to them 

 is found in one of the works of Dr. Engelmann, but this is all; he had 

 never seen any of them. 



A general survey of the species of the immediate vicinity was made, 

 and finally two species were selected which appeared to be the most 

 promising. For the sake of comparison a third was selected from a 

 resaca bank near Brownsville. The first two species were secured at 

 Loma Alta, about 6 miles east of Brownsville. They were selected 

 on account of their thrifty, compact growth in nature, the character 



