NEW CREATIONS IN PLANT LIFE 



highest yield a return of at least one thousand 

 dollars per acre in material for the manufac- 

 ture of denatured alcohol. Taking the demon- 

 strated yield of the new cactus per acre under 

 indifferent conditions, and upon this basis the 

 revenue would be two and one-half times as 

 great as that from the wild cactus as indicated 

 by the college figures, or $520 per acre in 

 denatured alcohol as against $32.25 for Indian 

 corn. 



In considering these figures, as to the new 

 opuntias, it must be borne in mind that, as in 

 the case of the data regarding the fast-grow- 

 ing trees, all former standards of measurement 

 must be abandoned, so tremendously have 

 these new forms of plant -life eclipsed all 

 others of a corresponding type. These new 

 and powerful factors in the plant life of the 

 world are unique. They afford data for the 

 readjustment of many of the world's great 

 forces. The way is opened in the one case to 

 the rapid re-foresting of the earth's denuded 

 areas, while in the other case, in addition to 

 providing limitless stores of food for all cli- 

 mates and all regions, desert or arable, it also 

 promises to provide a remarkably cheap and 



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