Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-03-21
PLANT MAGIC OR SCIENCE?
By Frederic ]. Haskin.

devoted to the furthering of Mr.. Bur-
banks experiments and the scientific re-
cording Of the results. Microscopic and
phOto-microscopic work, as we'll as full
detail of the life history of the plants
under test. will by this means be avail
able to the scientist Of the future. The
object Of the appropriation now has been
accomplished and the wealth of material
secured, it is believed, is greater than
that of any similar study ever made in
the world. This is now in the process of
preparation for publication and some
printed reports regarding 1t are expected
to be issued within the coming year.
While the recognition of the value of
Burbank's work by the Carnegie Institu-
ton and the appropriation of funds was
helpful at time most needed. 1t Is not
as important from q unitarian stand
point as was the bill passed by Congress
last August giving Mr.. Burbank grants
Of lands for conducting his experiments
regarding the spineless cacti. The bill
provides for the placing of twelve sec
lions of desert land at his disposal in To-
cations to be selected by him in Cali
each section containing $40 acres of land.
While the stories OF the spineless cactus
and it's possibilities as an addition to the
food and industrial resources Of the coun-
try were ridiculed at the beginning, the
demonstrations already given by Mr..
Burbank are convincing proof Of it's prac-
ticability. About ten years ago he began
to study the cactus with view to max
ing it useful to the human race, instead
of the enemy it always has been regard
ed. He recognized its good qualities,
namely, that it was hardy and would
grow where nothing else would in the
blistering heat of the desert, and that it
had much nutrition stored In its thick
leaves and golden or crimson fruit.
His first two objects were the removal
of the sharp thorns covering the branches,
leaves and fruit, and the removal of the
woody, fibrous skeleton of the leaves
which made them indigestible. The cac-
tus selected by Burbank for his expert
ments was the Opunta species. native to
Mexico and South America. Hundreds of
thousands of seeds were planted and ex-
tensive crossings were made between the
pollens of the flowers. In making the
thornless cactus Mr.. Burbank recognized
the fact that it took much of the vital
force of the cacti to develop the power
full thorns and supply the leaves with
fibers. In breeding these away he gave
nature a chance to devote her energy to
improving the fruit He has accom-
plshed this in manner that seems
absolutely marvellous. The fruit of
the cactus Is like a fat cucumber
in appearance. slightly fattened at the
ends. 1t is delicious for jelly and jams
and one variety has pineapple flavor.
The juice has been found invaluable for
mixing paint. and the coloring of the red
fruit is permanent and of great brilliance,
Cactus fruit already is on sale in the
western states, and large commercial
company has been formed in California
for it's exploitation.
At present Mr.. Burbank is devoting his
time chiefly to the selection of the sites
of his experiment fields in the desert
lands supplied him by the government.
If, as is generally believed, his claims
can be demonstrated upon this large
scale he will add many millions of dol
lars to the resources of the world. There
are billions of acres of desert ground in
different parts of the world. and if these
are all made productive. the benefit to
the human race is apparent. 1t is claimed
that an acre of cactus plants will pro-
duce 2OO tons of food value. A corn
production of ton and a half is consid-
cred good and five-ton yield of alfalfa
is exceptional. The leaves of the cactus
may be used as forage as acceptably as
alfalfa. If the product is utilized for the
manufacture of wood alcohol the yield is
estimated as amounting to $1,000 value
per acre as against $50 for Indian corn.
1t must also be considered that this cac-
tus is to be produced entirely upon desert
lands which never before have been
productive of anything of commercial
value.