Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1905-01-26
CURRENT EVENTS.
usws VI views - rnterest In We
vfs1s Yfsias sf Asrfcuiture.
BY r. I. WOODS.

In fruit matters. It IL designed to con-
tain approximately correct and trust
worthy lists OF fruits adapted to va
rfous districts into which the county
has been divided" The lists are COM
piled and simplined from those of the
revision Of the Catalogue OF Fruits,
prepared by the American Pathological
society and adopted as Its recommend.
ID 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 I'm each dis
trict- 1t should be borne In mind that
these recommendations are not made
by the c~omptlers or by the department
Of agriculture. but by a large number
of practical fruit growers In each dis
trtct, whose reports dre based on their
personal experience and observation.
n New spineIess or Cattle Cactus.
Luther Burbank, the wizard Of the
hArflrtfIft.ra ..rD-I1 la. ayoI,oI 30.
tus without spines, and he Is credited
with the statement that this cactus is
half al nutritious as alfalfa. There
fore this is not just Il vegetable curl
osity, but, like much Of AFR. Burbank's
work, mag 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
q vast field Of speculation when 1t is
considered that 1t may In time make
available the nearly 1000, 600 square
miles Of arid territory In the United
States or. as Mr.. Burbank Is quoted,
will probably allow twice as many
people 10 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 presena
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 ~crevices of rock, far
beyond the reach Of cattle, some varte- =
ties Of cactus occasionally develop
which drop their spines to a considers
BILE extent, apparently because they do
not need these for protection from
their hungry enemies. Beginning ten
years ago, II was some Of these nearly
upineiess but dwarf cactus that Mr..
Burbank crossed with others Of larger
variety, continuing the work Of cross
Ing until he obtained plants whose only
of spines are little smooth
excrescences. The Carnegie
Institute has arranged to grant Mr.. !
Burbank funds for the further prv@S-
bon Of his fine work In the interests Of
mankind.
III Pnsssng Of Men 81 Note.
Professor j. l. Budd, who died lsfe-
In Texas. was not only q pioneer Of
horticulture In this country, burt one
Df its most intelligent up to date rep
rosentatives. He was born In New
York state and was an associate II
Charles Downing, who bequeathed TO
aim his valuable horticultural library
Ind the continuance Of important horu-
work. For many years Pro
lessor Budd occupied the chair Of for
Dstry and horticulture in the Town
State college. His name Is especially
connected with the importation q
hardy varieties of fruit from abroad
into the northwest.
with the death Of Dr. James b. Hen
nicutt Of Georgia has passed away
ngure conspicuous In the best and most
agriculture OF the south-
he worked fer the interests Of the
southern farmer and by an unusual
Of knowledge, power and Per
uonal magnetism was eminent among
nose who have In the past FEW years
been engaged In revolutionizing south
ern agriculture.