The Holly chieftain., 1909-07-09
IT NAV BE MADE VALUABLE IN
TIME OF oRoUTH BY BURN
ING OFF SPiNES.
SPECIAL BURNERS SOLD
eoTANisT CT NEW MEXICO Ex-
PERTINENT STATION TELLS
HOW WORK - DONE.

plant 1t would seem somewhat super
fluous to call the attention OF stock
men to the value Of the cacti upon
their ranges at this season of the year,
says e. o. Wooten, botanist of the New
Mexico Experiment Station. But the
mental step between spiny cacti and
spineless ones seems to be long one
that few take readily.
In Bulletin No. "a. Bureau of Plant
Industry ("The Prickly Pear and Other
Cacti as Food for Stock" DR.. David
Griffiths; U. 8. Department of Agri-
culture, Washington. D. c., commenc-
ing on page 43. there is long list of
succinct statements relative to the pos
sible uses of cacti from which l quote
the first, because of its present impor-
tance. "Prickly pear, although poor
in nutritive quality, can be fed to de-
cided advantage under several condi-
tions and for several purposes: a. To
save cattle during prolonged drought
when other more nutritious food is
scarce"
Now this statement applies to any
kind of cactus that Is big enough to
furnisl, any quantity of forage, being
especially true of the prickly pears and
cane cacti. The truth of this state
ment is vouched for by many who have
tried 1t.
This is by no means the only use for
cacti, but at this season of the year,
when all feed is dry and there is very
little of 1t, when the water supply is
poorest and stock, especially cattle on
the range are dying In large numbers,
it would seem to be most important
one.
This short article is written to call
the attention of those stockmen, who
have already availed themselves of the
supply, and more especially those who
are losing stock, to the fact that they
probably have upon their ranges for
age which may be available to their
stock by a little work.
Spineless cacti will not grow in the
open range of New Menico. In fact,
their spines and thorns together are
one of the characters that make it
possible for cacti Of any kind to live
on the open ranges. And even this de-
fensive armor is insufficient to protect
them from q number of enemies. But
the spines do protect them from stock,
and before they can be made into stock
feed the spines must be destroyed.
Fortunately the spines burn readily
hence 1t is possible to singe them off
without effecting the stems. and SO
come at the forage.
Two ways of burning the spines
have been shown to be practicable
One is to cut the stalks With a machete
or sharp spade and hold them in the
blaze of brush fire with q pitch-fork.
The other is to singe them on the
plants as they stand with . gasoline
torch made especially for the work
This torch is made on the principle Of
an ordinary plumbers torch with a
rather long pipe for the reservoir, and
one that may be turned In different
directions. Gasoline ID, the fuel and
Is used under pressure and mixed with
air; SO 1t is very essential that all
joints be gas tight and be kept free Of
gasoline; otherwise, serious explo-
sions may occur.
The torch method is much the more
rapid and less laborious." Experience
has shown that 1t is we'll to have G
good pressure In the tank and avoid
using the torch in the wind as much
as possible, since this materially in
creases the amount of singeing.
The specially prepared burners
called pear burners" may be had
through ones local hardware dealer
or other supply house, and costs about
eighteen dollars. Estimates as to the
expense Of saving stock by this meth
cd are dependent upon the abundance
Of native cacti upon the range, the
method Of singeing employed, the cost
of labor (the price of gasoline and the
first cost of the outfit, II the torch be
used), all of which items Of expense
vary with. the locality.
Considering the fact that we have q
period of shortage Of feed and water
each year in the spring and early sum.
mer, and periodic occurrences of years
that are drier than usual at that time
1t would seem but sensible thing for
stockmen to encourage the growth of
cacti upon those parts OF their ranges
where grass and better forage do not
grow well: this to be done with the
idea Of preparing for the lean year."
The easy way of planting cacti IL
to scatter the separate joints over the
ground. They will take root without
covering. The work may be done at
any season of the year. though lar
ger per cent. of the Joints will root
during the rainy season. This state.
ment applies to the lower and hotter
southern end of the territory.