53 



have bad them do so when we thought there was danger of its proving fatal. They 

 can be given a feed at night, however, and then worked the following morning with- 

 out danger of any injurious results. 



H. J. Hunter, M. D., Palestine, Tex. : 



West of the Colorado River in this State the Cactus grows in vast forests. I have 

 seen cattle and sheep feed on it as it grows wild. Stockmen cut it on the ground, 

 singe off the prickles, and cut in small bits for their stock. 



Mr. Alonzo Millett, of Kansas City, Mo. : 



I confine the treatment of my stock in La Salle County, Texas, for their first six 

 weeks or two months in that locality, almost exclusively to the feeding of Prickly 

 Pear, which simple measure has proved bighly successful, and is worthy of more gen- 

 eral trial as a preventive of Texas fever. There is a Cactus called by the Mexicans 

 Xopal de Castilliano, which is cultivated in this State for its fruit. This plant grows 

 very large and yields enormous crops of fruit, which is sold on the street for food and 

 to make beer. The young growth of the Cactus is used in early spring by the Mexi- 

 cans of Western Texas as food. It is cut in small pieces, mixed with flour in a batter 

 and fried. It is said to be as palatable as egg-plant. 



Edward Beaumont, J ernes, IS" Mex. : 



The Cactus is not used here to any great extent, but it makes good food for horned 

 stock, especially cows. The thorns are scorched off over a blaze of brush or straw. 

 When cattle get used to eating it they come running as soon as they see a smoke. 



Otanes F. Wright, Temescal, San Bernardino County, California : 



Many kinds of Cactus grow here. The flat kind, or Prickly Pear, is abundant in 

 places. Cattle, goats, and sheep eat it sometimes without any preparation when 

 very hungry, but it looks as though needles and pins would be a pleasanter and safer 

 diet. I have never known, however, any bad results to come from eating it. After 

 boiling to soften the thorns it makes good food for milch cows, and is much relished. 

 The trouble of boiling prevents its extensive use. 



Mexican Clover, Richardsonia scabra, PL XVI. 



Spanish Clover, Florida Clover, Water Parsley, Bellfountain, Poor 

 Toe, Pigeon Weed, '&c. 



This is an annual plant, of the family Pubiacese, which contains the 

 coffee, cinchona, and madder. It is therefore not a true clover, that 

 name having perhaps been given from the general appearance of the 

 plant and the fact that the flowers are mostly borne in terminal heads. 

 The stem is spreading, branching, and somewhat hairy, and the leaves, 

 unlike the clovers, are composed of a single piece. The plant is a native 

 of Mexico and South America, which has become naturalized in the 

 United States, especially along the Gulf coast, where its chief value 

 seems to be as a renovator of poor sandy soils. In more dry exposed 

 regions it seems to require rich cultivated soils in order to do well. It 

 has been but little cultivated, and it is not known how far north it may 

 be grown successfully, but it would probably have little value where 

 clover can be readily grown. The statements in regard to its value for 

 pasture and hay are very conflicting. It is usually quite succulent, and 

 not readily cured iu the climate where it is most largely grown. As it 

 grows chiefly in cultivated grounds, it is often looked upon only as a 

 weed. 



