The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1905-02-02
CURRENT EVENTS.
News and Views of Interest I'm Va
r1Ous Fields of Agriculture.
By r. L. WOODS. +


In fruit matters. 1t is designed to con-
tain approximately correct and trust
worthy lists of fruits adapted to va
riOus districts into which the county
has been divided" The lists are COM
piled and simplifed from those of the
revision of the Catalogue Of Fruits,
prepared by the American Pathological
society and adopted as it's recommend
ed list and afterward published as a
bulletin Of the department of agricul-
ture. The data forming the basis Of
that catalogue were carefully gathered
from practical fruit growers through
out the country.
There are nineteen fruit districts out
lined as nearly as possible with refer
ence to elevation, soils and climatic
condition. Their great size prevents
anything like absolute uniformity in
these conditions throughout any dis
trIct; hence the grower is advised TO
secure counsel from all available local
sources before proceeding in the mat
ter OF planting. A test of fruits is rec
commended for planting in each dis
trict. 1t should be borne in mind that
these recommendations are not made
by the compilers or by the department
Of agriculture, but by a large number
of practical fruit growers in each dis
trict, whose reports are based on their
personal experience and observation.
The New SpineIess Cattle Cactus.
-
horticultural world, has evolved a cac-
tus without spines, and he is credited
with the statement that tlfis cactus is
half as nutritious as alfalfa. There
fore this is not just a vegetable curl
osity, but, like much of Mr.. Burbank's
work, may prove of tremendous benefit
to mankind. A plant that thrives in the
desert and yet furnishes good food in
good quantity for live stock opens up
a vast field of speculation when it is
considered that it may in time make
available the nearly 100000 square
miles of arid territory in the United
States or, as Mr. Burbank is quoted,
will probably allow twice as many
people to live on the earth as could
otherwise be supported"
New tracts beyond the probability of
irrigation having been turned from
wastes into rich ranges, the present
grazing lands of the west would be
available for division into farms for
the would be settlers who are crowd
ing the cattle and sheep men.
The origin of the spineleSs cactus is
said to be somewhat after this fashion,
In certain high creyices Of rock. far
beyond the reach of cattle, some varie-
ties of cactus occasionally develop
which drop their spines to a considera-
BILE extent, apparently because they do
not need these for protection from
their hungry enemies. Beginning ten
years ago, it was some of these nearly
spineless but dwarf cactus that Mr..
Burbank crossed with others Of larger
variety, continuing. the work of cross
ing until he obtained plants whose only
reminders OF spines are little smooth
bud-like eXcrescenCes The Carnegie
institute has arranged to grant MIR.
Burbank funds for the further promo
ton Of his fine work in the interests Of
mankind.
The Passing Of Men OF Note.
Professor j l.. Budd. who died late
ly in Texas, was not only a pioneer Of
horticulture in this country, but one
Of it's most intelligent up to date rep
resentatiyeS He was born in New
York state and was an associate of
Charles Downing, who beQueathed to
him his valuable horticultural library
and the continuance of important hOrti-
cultural work. For many years Pro
lessor Budd occupied the chair of for
eStry and horticulture in the Iowa
State college His name is especially
connected with the importation Of
hardy varieties of fruit from abroad
into the northwest.
With the death OF DR. James 3. Hun
nicutt Of Georgia has passed away a
figure conspicuous In the best and most
progressive agriculture of the south.
He worked for the interests Of the
southern farmer and by az unusual
union Of knowledge, power and per-
sOnal magnetism was eminent among
those who have in the past few years
been engaged in revolutioniZing south
ern agriculture.