2 BULLETIN 208, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
YIELDS AT BROWNSVILLE. 
THE FIRST PLANTING. 
In March, 1908, the first planting of native varieties of prickly pear 
was made on a small scale at Brownsville. At this time two 8-foot 
rows 458 feet long were established on one side of a varietal collection - 
planted the same summer. Single-joint cuttings were plowed under, ~ 
as described in previous publications, at a distance of 3 feet apart in 
the row. This plantmg was given moderately good cultivation. 
The middles were kept clean, but often Bermuda grass and other 
vegetation were allowed to grow in the rows. 
In the latter part of October, 1909, or at the end of the second 
erowing season, row 2 was cut and weighed. In harvesting this row, 
a good stump (PI. I, figs. 1 and 2) consisting of one to four cuttings, 
but never over one cutting high, was left attached to the original cut- 
ting, set 19 months before. The total material harvested in this 
manner weighed 17,060 pounds, or 8.53 tons. This showed a yield 
at the rate a 100.721 tons to the acre for two seasons’ growth, or 
50.36 tons per acre per annum. 
The first row was not harvested at this time, but was reserved 
until the following February to be cut and used in establishing a 
6-acre planting. This row is believed to have yielded considerably 
more than row 2, harvested in the fall. 
In considering these yields, attention should be given to several 
conditions. It is estimated that not less than 2 tons per acre were 
left on the ground in the stumps, besides the original cuttings. 
The increase in weight between October and March, when the 2-year 
period would be complete, would, in the absorption of water and in 
growth, amount to several tons per acre. The harvesting was done 
at a time when the pear contained the least moisture, for it followed 
a very long dry season. In short, this test is hedged about by such 
conditions that the results in yield as given appear to be ultra- 
conservative. 
SPECIES PLANTED. 
As previously stated, the native species of prickly pear of the Rio 
Grande delta are unique (PI. II, fig. 2). They differ from any that 
have been encountered elsewhere. What is more, they were entirely 
unstudied when our investigations were begun. A reference to them 
is found in one of the works of Dr. iriver, but this is all; he had 
never seen any of them. 
A general survey of the species of the immediate vicinity was made, 
and eats two species were selected which appeared to be the most 
promising. For the sake of comparison a third was selected from a 
resaca bank near Brownsville. The first two species were secured at 
Loma Alta, about 6 miles east of Brownsville. They were selected 
on account of their thrifty, compact growth in nature, the character 
