The Concordia sentinel., 1921-08-06

- ACTT are as much a part of the
desert the sand and the binding
glare and the lack of water. The
desert without the cactus would be
!: !: : z: : ]: ; :: : :
0 like Hamlet" with Hamlet left out.
iIIHT1H7N1ll There are something like five mill
uWNlIIUHU lion square miles Of desert scat
NlllV II tered about the globe and it takes
80 about a thousand species of cacd
- to go round.
But the traveller does not have
20 visit all the deserts Of earth to find variety
or species. Down on the border line between
the United States and Mexico there are famous
cactus areas, where this curious and interesting
plant may be found In bewildering variety. At
one end Of the scale the desert wayfarer sees
the giant ssaguaros So 90 feet high, fluted, col
umnal forms with branching limbs and curving
lines. Close to the other end is the dreaded
cnoyas-iittle round patches Of glstening,, frosty
white. And under every bunch are the discarded
Joints, like little frosty pine cones covered with
epines. Old desert travellers claim that the choya
- alive and leaps at man and horse. Certain it
10 that It seems impossible to avoid the steellike
thorns that pierce leather and flesh. Apparently
eney are poison thorns, for the pain is like no
other and almost unendurable; they sting and
Ourn and at the same time seem to freeze-and
they stick like barbed ishhOok
On the other hand, there is the bsigni cactus
which has saved uncOunted lives Of those who
know. It's barrel-shaped mass contains a fluid
resembling water; and 1t Is cool. Then, again,
there Is the cactus that furnishes 'peyOte"-a
stimulant Of which the Indians are so fond that
congress has thought Of passing, legislation to
control its use. Again. there are cact that fur
nish delicious fruits Some Of the cacti are good
eating. Some are used for the manufacture of
variety Of articles ranging from tOothpicks to
chairs. One kind Of cactus has been used for
ages as hair brush.
In short, the cactus Is almost as useful TO the
American Of the Southwest and to the Mexican as
the buffalo used to be to the plains Indian. It
is no wonder that the cactus Is seen on the flag
OF Mexico and many Of the old-time coins and
that II is the state flower Of more than one of
ehe American states Of the Southwest.
Manifold as are the present uses of the cactus.
there is every indication that its usefulness will
Be extended by the evolution and development
Of special varieties. For example, there Is prob
ably future for the splneess cactus as a food
Tor cattle Any forage that can be grown on
the desert without irrigation and has a food
value something like half that Of alfalfa Is bound
to have future The world Is presumably to
hear further from Luther Burbanks experiments
Dr. p. L. Sherman. experimenting with spineless
varieties, found that they were rich in sugar and
we're fitted for the manufacture Of cheap candy
k IL also easy to imagine conditions q few years
hence under which 1t will be worth while to
develop the fruits Of the cactus family
3d. all in ALL the cactus family is one Of the
most interesting in the world to say nothing Of it's
value, both actual and potential. Dr. william
A. Murrill Of the New York Botanical garden
has written for the Scientific American Magazine
most interesting article outlining the many
uses Of cacti The article Is illustrated from
photographs by courtesy OF the United States
National museum Says Doctor Murrin:
Il II estimated that there are three billion
- t,-1 r.
unattracttve and unproductive wastes are ever
20 blossom like the rose," II will be the cacti
or plants similarly adapted to desert conditions
that VIII furnish the flowers. Desert plants were
like other plants once. but the vital necessity
Tor preserving moisture gradually wrought won
derful change In their appearance and structure
Few Of the cacti now have any conspicuous
leaves, their place being taken by nattened
5olntB. or pads, which are modified portions Of
the stem; and even the sap has become mucilagi
nous or milky, preventing the loss Of water tC
Ghe hot dry air by which these plants are con
alnuaily surrounded. Splnes Of various shape
and sizes serve to protect them against grain,
animals that are often killed when driven b.
hunger and thirst 70 devour these plants In spit
of their splnes. The few forms Of spineless cact
that occur IN the Wild state always freQuen
rocky hedges and other situations that are mac
,cessible to most animals II not to all.
The number Of species Of eacti recognized 4
large, amounting to about one thousand. and hal
of these are found In Mexico. They vary fror
tiny plants no bigger than ones finger to tree
30 feet in height. presenting all manner Of quee
and interesting shapes and furnishing the botaL
lst with no end Of knotty problems. Extensiv
collections Of living plants may be seen unde
giass af the New York Botanical garden the Dc
partment Of Agriculture In Washington, and tn
Missouri Botanical garden In st. Louis; Will
Others in the open are to be found at Riverside
California; Tucson. Arizona; MesilIa Park. Ne'