THE NEW OPUNTIAS 



cellent pickles and are a good wholesome food 

 when fried like eggplant. They are also boiled 

 and used as greens, and when prepared with 

 sugar produce a sweetmeat similar to pre- 

 served citron, and may be flavored with gin- 

 ger or other spices. The abundant mucilagi- 

 nous juice from the leaves- is extracted for 

 mixing with whitewash to make it more last- 

 ing when exposed to the weather. The fresh 

 fruit of the improved varieties is unique in 

 form and color, bringing a price about the 

 same on the market as oranges. It can be 

 produced at perhaps one-half the expense of 

 oranges, apricots, grapes, plums or peaches, 

 there being no failure in the crops, and the 

 fruit can be shipped as safely as the other 

 deciduous fruits. The juice from the fruits of 

 the crimson varieties is used for coloring ices, 

 jellies and confectionery." 



The following directions are given by Mr. 

 Burbank for planting: 



"The opuntias differ from nearly all other 

 plants, as the cuttings must first be wilted 

 before they will grow, after which nothing 

 grows so readily. When received, put them 

 in some warm, sunny place and allow them to 



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