20 
THE SPINELESS CACTUS: 
peaches. By analysis they are found to contain about fourteen per cent of sugar besides 
a small amount of protein and fat. Some contain more of these, some less. Either may 
be greatly increased by breeding and selection as in the apple, peach, sugar beet and 
most fruits and vegetables. 
The Ficus indica class has larger and more fleshy fruits with fewer seeds than the Tuna. 
Some of the earlier varieties ripen in June and July, the later ones in November and through 
the winter. Most of them commence bearing about the third year from cuttings. 
To prepare the fruit for use cut a thin slice from each end through the skin, then slit 
from end to end when the skin may be readily removed. 
[From Bailey’s Cyclopedia of Horticulture.] 
“Although extensively cultivated for their fruit in many countries where they furnish 
an important article of diet for four to five months each year, they do not as yet take a 
pomological rank with the horticulturist, though they are much more widely used and of 
far more economic importance than many plants which have been established place in 
pomological literature.” 
“With these and more qualities to recommend them it yet remains for horticultural 
enterprise to develop a spineless and bristleless variety that will not only be of value for 
forage but will produce large crops of fruits as attractive to the educated palate as to the 
savage.” 
“Of the Opuntias indigenous to the United States none as yet have been grown for fruit 
or with an effort to improve them.” 
The Gentle Reminder by the Roadside. 
No one could be more pleased to welcome the general public to my experiment grounds 
but over six thousand visitors were received during the year 1904. All the important 
experimental work was delayed beyond recall, grounds overrun with crowds from day¬ 
light to ten o’clock at night, no rest even on Sundays or holidays; business destroyed, 
rare plants died from want of care; attention constantly drawn from legitimate matters, 
letters neglected, telegrams delayed; meals taken standing, sleep disturbed, health at 
the point of destiuction, visitors calling at all hours without regard to my own conven¬ 
ience, each one being under the fixed and unalterable impression that he or she was the 
one particular one who should be admitted. 
This notice will now be found at every gate: 
POSITIVELY NO VISITORS ALLOWED 
WARNING— 
ANY PERSON ENTERING OR TRESPASSING ON 
THESE GROUNDS WILL BE PROSECUTED. 
1 he general public has no moral, legal or other right to invade my grounds, home, pri¬ 
vate office or laboratories. 
