Opuntia Fruit as an Article of Food. 69 
far as the writer knows, only resorted to by Indians, who gather 
for their own consumption. 
The knife in the hand of an experienced gatherer,can be made 
to detach a great quantity of fruit ina day. It is much used along 
the table-lands of Mexico on the great estates where the Opuntia 
grows to perfection; and the fruit by various means rendered 
profitable to the owners. The blade of the knife is made of steel 
and is inserted into the split end of a long strong stick, the length 
- of which enables the gatherer of Zuzas to reach with the knife 
blade the joint bearing ripe fruit. The plants are often eight to 
fifteen feet high. The fruit is arranged around the outer rim of 
the joints, so, when the gatherer brings the knife blade to the 
joint,he separates by a quick turn that part bearing the fruit,and 
as quickly thrusting the blade into the severed part, brings it to 
the ground, when the fruit it soon denuded ofits fine spines and 
removed. Plants present an odd appearance after the terminal 
joints have been thus removed, but suffer no injury and the frag- 
ments readily take root and form new plants. 
REMOVING THE SKINS FROM THE FRUIT. 
It is surprising what a quantity of fruit can be deprived of 
skins and prepared for the palate by one pair of experienced 
hands. A thin slice is removed from each end of the fruit; a slit 
isthen made through the peeling along the length of thefruit. The 
fingers press downward quickly the separated skin leaving the 
pulpy fruit exposed ina tempting manner. Thus prepared, the 
fruit is one of the sweetest,most nutritious and refreshing of fruits, 
mealy and juicy, most agreeable for the warmer seasons of the 
year in the United States. Especially is this fruit adapted for 
the breakfast-table, when the languid body needs something to 
aid digestion. If kept as cool asa watermelon, it will prove far 
more agreeable than that fruit. being of a similar flavor with that 
of the strawberry added, and it is healthier, more nutritious and 
longer in season than the watermelon. 
This fruit is to be found in the Mexican markets in abundance 
and very cheap five months in the year, and is consumed by all 
classes and conditions of people. Venders are to be seen along 
all the roads. Along the Mexican Central Railroad the earliest 
Tuna is ripe in June and the latest varieties disappear in Novem- 
ber, and you are offered them in small dishes, with the epidermis 
_ removed, a thorn from the mesquit tree to carry the tempting 
morsel to the mouth. | 
This fruit is finding its way all along the frontier of the United 
States, and this winter I saw some fine fruit on a stand in Jack- 
sonville, Fla., for sale. 
Americans and foreigners consume this fruit with equa] avidity 
with the Mexican and praise the flavor. When as well known in 
this country as in Mexico it will be utilized to the fullest degree. 
Edward Palmer. 
