Arizona republican., 1906-12-12
TURNING THE CACTUS
 10 SOME PURPOSE
Experiments Which Have Been Car
 ried on by Professor Thornber of The University The Last Two Years.

Tucson, Dec. 1O.-(Special cores pondence of The RepubIican)-For the past two years Prof. J. J. Thornber. has been carrying on experiments with desert vegetation in view of improving the Arizona range. Of the I2O varie- ] ties of imported grass seeds experi- mented with. only two species of grass have been found that seem in any way adapted to the Arizona desert. one. of these. however. promises to thrive on the desert better than the native grass ! es, while another is well adapted to lawns and forms a veTdant carpeting equal in beauty to the blue grass of Kentucky and Missouri Although vet in the experimental stage. these two species of grass will likely affect the future development of the desert A more extensive lot of experiments have been carried on with the cactus which has everywhere in the west been look ed to as a possible salvation for our vast stretches of desert since Mr Bur bank produced a spineless species few years ago. Notwithstanding the popular belief to the contrary, it is the opinion of Maj Thomas that the spine less cactus will not materialize into anything of advantage to the stock man. The tender shoots are easily de- stroyed or eaten by stock. and the jackrabbit is a natural enemy that must be dealt with before the spineless desert plant can hope to reach matur- ity. From practical experiments on the desert, however, it is believed that the cactus, with its natural means of de- fense. has great economic value as d food for stock. They can at least be made to serve to tide range stock over the drOughty seasons. The cholla, while full of spines. Is on this account able to survive and carries its fruit from one season to another until it is eaten. One species of the cholla. the Arbuscula Opuntia will bear annually, 150 pounds of fruit which has been tested for food values In the laboratory with most agreeable results. The prickly pear is also valuable but it does not carry its fruit more thanNa few weeks and hence may be without fruit at a time when most needed. The stems of the prickly pear afford cOnsiderab ble food. For singing cactus. a hand gaso-
 
 singe the spines from 15,OOO pounds of edible stems in a day. In times of drought this can be the means of say ing range stock. The agricultural sta tion hopes to publish in the near fu- ture a full account of its work in this line with recommendations to the rancher.
 The annual military ball was held at Herring Hall last Saturday evening. IL is the custom for the cadets to give a dance each year about Thanksgiving time, and no pains are spared to make these dances among the most brilliant social events of the year. The success of this years dance was evident to all who were fortunate enough to be pres ent. The hall was elaborately decorat- ed with national and University colors and "old glory flowed and floated over all. In each corner arms were stacked and from one apartment light refresh ments were served a la army canteen. A crack squad added to the martial scenes an exhibition of keen stunts in the manual of arms. The NOgales or chestra furnished music.
 The ladies' basket ball teams. The Reds and The Whites, will play their second public game in the gymnasium next Friday night. A high spirit of rivalry exists between the two teams and there is every probability that close game will be played as each team has kept in training since the last game