Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-15
SAYS H0RNLESS CACTUS
SCIENTIFIC PIPE DREAM

81 do not care to enter into any
controversy with Luther Burbank, the
so-called plant wizard nor to appeal
In the light OF a critic Of his actions
or assertions, % said a local botanist
but this talk of his reClaiming the
deserts with "A variety of spineless
cactus. which he l. said to have origi-
mated, appears 10 me 10 be not well
grounded.
In the first place there Is that Ia
the alleged claims OF MI. Burbank re-
garding his and several other Varie-
ties of plants. 10 which he has laid
claim as the originator, which savor
lust a little of nature taking. There
Is not "A man living, who as "A boy
climbed the hills OF Pennsylvania and
New York In search of blackherries.
who does not know of the white
blackberry which a few months ago
was exploited as one of the produC-
lions OF Wizard Burbank. This was
a freak of the species which became
established as a variety Wild. and MIR.
Burbank simply took advantage of
this and brought Il under cultivation.
There are several other OF his won-
ders which have like origin. and the
spineless opuntia Is one of these.
There Is not a town In southern
California but has spineless opuntia
plants in Il. There are scores of
them In the yards Of this city. san
Diego abounds In them. There are
opuntia In the cactus gardens al Cor
onado. and they aid not come from
the Burbank gardens, either.
Those who have made n study OF
plants. and particularly cacti., are
we'll aware that the opuntia or other
cacti Of the desert, when planted in
fertile ground. where water h abund-
ant and food properties are plentiful
in the soil. change their nature, hah-
It's and appearances. The spiny plant
has no need of weapons OF defense
and drops them. In fact. thorns were
bred by the plants to defend them
from foraging animals, In the desert.
where s%ucculent plants are scarce,
were 4 not for their spiny protection,
they would be eNterminated i'm short
order.
n Is a well known fact, among
botanists. that cultivated ana derived
soOn go back To original
forms when they are neglected AMI
To grow wild. Were the desert
to DE set with the Burbank spineless
Il would be but "a few years
before the spines would appear and
the plant would return ~ its natural
and original state.
A an example OF the adaptabnlty
" cacti to circumstance may be
mentioned the echinocactus wislizeni
leruntelt. sometimes known as the
well OF the desert This plant nat
feeds on the soil, growing With
IL roots set deep. However, desert
travellers frequently ind the plant
rowing on rocks where there l. no
soil. and Il obtains it, sustenance
the atmosphere. l well rccol-
.ect an example OF this kind, where
he piant so changed its nature and
los digestive system as 10 become an
spiphyte. or air-fceder. on a barren
rock. protecting from a clin a hundred
feet Ina the air. where there was not
a handful OF soil, "A specimen hve or
,iN feet tail. and nearly a foot thick.
Ncighing 400 20 SOC pounds. was
growing as thriftilN as It's brother
plants In the soil below. If Brother
Burbank really expects 10 plant the
insert to SpineleSs cacti and have
.hem maintain their spineless char
.eristlcs. he Is doomed TO disapPoint-
neut.