Cactus Fruit Approaching Spinelessness 



The one prominent defect of the cactus fruit is that it 

 retains a certain number of spines or spicules, even when the 

 slab upon which it grows has become entirely smooth, Mr. Burbank'i 

 experiments are now directed towards the production of a per- 

 fectly spineless fruit, and those experiments are approach- 

 ing completion. The variety of fruit here shown is 

 almost smooth, retaining only traces of the 

 offensive spicules. It is believed that 

 other varieties, almost at fruit- 

 ing age, will bear pears that 

 are altogether spineless. 



