THE NEW OPUNTIAS 



improved also under treatment. It will bear 

 its full share in the regenerative work in prog- 

 ress, not supplanting the earth's fruits, but 

 supplementing them. As in the case of other 

 tests of fruits, Mr. Burbank has followed the 

 methods set down in the chapter dealing with 

 his plan books. I saw in his office among the 

 records of his work on the cactus a bundle of 

 leaves bound together, each one bearing in 

 its upper left-hand corner the imprint of a 

 cactus fruit. Each fruit under test is halved 

 and pressed down upon the page so that its 

 actual dimensions and general shape may be 

 outlined. The seed cavity is also denned. 

 The color of the fruit, pink, crimson, orange, 

 pale yellow, or what not, was clearly to be 

 seen where the meat had touched the pa per. 

 The fruit promises much in a commercial way 

 also, since it has from 12 to 16 per cent of 

 sugar in its composition, and in the case of 

 the new opuntias is a heavy bearer. It prom- 

 ises to take its place in the ranks of the apple, 

 peach, plum, and all those fruits which have 

 fought their way up to their present satisfac- 

 tory stage, though absolutely distinct from 

 them in character, form and taste. 



395 



