68 The West American Scientist 
the greatest perfection on the table-lands of Mexico, where own- 
ers of estates have assured me that they have realized beyond all 
expenses $3,000.00 to $5,000 oo annually from the sales of this 
fruit and its products. 
The Opuntia takes root readily when a piece of plant is laid on 
the ground, or a little soil may be thrown on the top ofa joint, 
so easily is it cultivated. It will stand considerable cold, and 
draught does not effect it beyond causing the plant to wilt at 
times, from which it quickly recovers. The dryness during the 
mor protracted drought seems to increase the sweetness of the 
ruit. 
Give the Opuntia one-tenth of the care in its cultivation that 
the peach requires and it will repay you with a delicious fruit 
that lasts for a much longer period for market; one better for ship- 
ment; one with good keeping qualities. No insects to molest it 
no dangers from frost, as it blossoms after the time of frost, and 
protected ftom thieves by its spines, you can enjoy its fruit un- 
molested. There are some who dislike all forms of cactus be- 
cause of their spines, and consider them useless, but this is a mis- 
take. All cacti are useful to animals and birds and may be 
utilized by man, and the spines simply prevent their rapid de- 
struction by animals that would greedily devour these succulent 
growths were they not protected. 
REMOVING THE SPINES. 
When the fruit of the Opuntia is ripe, the fine spine upon their 
surface are readily removed by taking a bunch of grass, or any 
other suitable thing and switching the fruit, thus removing easily 
the downy spines, which, if not removed, would cause a little 
pain for a short time in handling the fruit. I have seen persons 
born among the Zzzas, catch the fruit suddenly near the sum- 
mit and wrench them off with their fingers apparently without 
suffering any evil consequences. If the spines are not removed 
at gathering, the fruit will have to be wiped before the rinds are 
removed, to prevent pain to the operator. 
GATHERING THE FRUIT. 
There are three methods resorted to in gathering Opuntia 
fruit; one with the hands; second, by wooden tongs; third, with 
a knife. The first method can only be resorted to when the 
plants are low, or in gathering from the lower branches of a tall 
plant. By taking hold of the fruit with the fingers and giving it 
a sudden twist it at once detached. This is no doubt the best 
method of gathering for market, as there is less’ bruising, and if 
the spines were previously removed, can be at once packed for 
market or the “jackets” removed for immediate use. The second 
method of gathering the fruit by means of wooden tongs is, so 


