Evening journal., 1905-02-15
CURRENT EVENTS.
News and Views of Interest In Va
riOus Fields of Agriculture.
~. u Z turnnna

planting Farmers bulletin No. 20S) is
compiled by W. II. Ragan, an expert
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 simpllfied from those Of the
revision of the Catalogue Of Fruits,
prepared by the American Pathological
society and adopted as its 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. II should be borne in mind that
these recommendations are not made
by the compilers or by the department
of agriculture, but by large number
Of practical fruit growers in each dis
trict whose reports are based on their
personal experience and observation.
The New spineIess or Cattle Cactus.
Luther Burbank, She wizard Of the
horticultural World, has evolved n cac-
tus without spines, and he is credited
with the statement that this cactus is
half as nutritious as alfalfa. There
fore this is not just vegetable curl
osity, but, like much OF Mr.. Burbank's 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 fol
the would be settlers who are crowd
ing the cattle and sheep men.
The origin of the spineless cactus II
said to be somewhat after this fashion
In certain high crevices of rock. fai
beyond the reach OF cattle, some varie
ties OF cactus occasionally develoI
which drop their spines to a considera
bic extent, apparently because they d
not need these for protection from
their hungry enemies. Beginning ter
years ago, il was some of these nearl.
spineless but dwarf cactus that MI
Burbank crossed with others of large
variety, continuing the work Of cross
ing until he obtained plants whose onl.
reminders Of spines are little smoot
bud-like excrescences. The Carnegi
institute has arranged to grant MI
Burbank funds for the further promo
ton OF his fine work in the interests 0
mankind.
The Passing of Men of Note.
Professor j. L. Budd, who died late
" in Texas, was not only n pioneer o
horticulture in this country, but on
OF its most intelligent up to date reI
resentatives. He was born in Ne'
York state and was an associate G
Charles Downing, who bequeathed
him his valuable horticultural librar
and the continuance of important hort
cultural work. For many years Pr
fessor Budd occupied the chair Of fo
estry and horticulture in the low
State college. His name is especial
, connected with the importation {
hardy varieties Of fruit from abroa
into the northwest.
With the death Of DR.. james B. HUI
= nicutt Of Georgia has passed away
figure conspicuous in the best and mo'
progressive agriculture Of the soutl
He worked for the interests OF ii
southern farmer and by an unusui
union Of knowledge, power and pc
sonal magnetism was eminent anon
those who have in the past few yea
been engaged in revolutionizing sout
7 ern agriculture.
I