CHAPTER XXIII 



THE NEW OPUNTIAS 



■ BEFORE presenting somewhat in detail 

 -*-* the inception, development and culmina- 

 tion of the thornless opuntias, — in some ways 

 the most important work Mr. Burbank has 

 ever accomplished, — a word of explanation on 

 one point seems needed. Several years ago it 

 was Mr. Burbank's hope that the cactus, which 

 promised to regenerate the waste places of the 

 earth and provide a new food for man and 

 beast, might be given to the world free of all 

 cost. All through his life, as has been set 

 forth in these pages, the ruling principle has 

 been sharply defined : How may the greatest 

 good be done to the greatest number? It is a 

 day when no harm will follow laying special 

 emphasis on such a principle. Having received 

 a liberal subvention from the Carnegie Insti- 

 tution for the furtherance of the work, it would 

 naturally follow that he would thus stand 

 relieved of care and able to avail himself of 



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