WHEN we reflect that the tomato, now one of the most common vegetables, was cultivated only as an ornamental plant within the memories of many people now living, and that the now universal potato was formerly regarded as a noxious herb, the prediction that prickly pears, or opuntia fruits, will become popular when the better sorts are known, does not seem unreasonable, when applied to the warmer parts of the temperate zones. It is true that both the potato and the tomato are of tropical origin ; but we cultivate them as annuals, while no annual form of fruit bearing cactus has yet been found. Where they are now cultivated for eating, their perennial nature is a valuable characteristic; for the fruit forms and grows slowly after the blossom wilts, and in many instances, remains on the plant until the following spring, when it ripens at a most desirable time. The mature fruit remains perfect a long time, and is firm and hard enough to be easily marketed. The cactus is a profitable and valued crop in Mexico The fruits vary in size, some being small like a robin's egg, and some as large as the egg of a turkey. They also vary in color, having all the shades of yellow and orange, often scarlet on one side, and the deepest crimson or lake.

The juice of some sorts is especially fine in color, a quality which it imparts to jellies made from the fruit. In Mexico the fruit is known as the tuna, and must not be confounded with the inferior opuntia fruit, which is the only sort known to many. When the different varieties become known, and each receives a name to distinguish it, they will be better appreciated.

Scarcely a plant known requires so little care in cultivation, and is so indifferent to the soil, provided it is well drained; but it is partial to either sand or gravel-When the fruit is ripe the fine spines upon its surface are readily removed by wiping or brushing the fruit. For this purpose a bunch of grass is usually employed by the Mexicans. Care must be exercised in gathering the fruit. Either a pair of wooden tongs is used, or the fruit is cut off with a long-handled knife, and then picked up from the ground. Removing the skin from the fruit is somewhat difficult for the beginner, but dexterity is soon, acquired. A thin slice is cut from each end of the fruit, and the skin, after being cut through from end to end, is readily removed. The fruit, if kept cool before being served, is much more delicious. The flavor has been compared to that of a watermelon flavored with strawberry. It is regarded as an especial delicacy of the breakfast table, and is relished by strangers and natives alike. It is now often found for sale in the markets of the large cities in the United States, but it is either bought as a curiosity, or used to give variety to fancy baskets of fruit. When it becomes abundant it will be utilized for its good qualities.

The cultivation of the cactuses is so simple, usually being nothing more than the first planting, and its annual supply of fruit is so regular, that it strongly recommends itself to people with more land than time to devote to fruit raising.

Fig OO. A Seedling Phyllocactus.

When hybridizers cross the hardy prickly pear (Opuntia vulgaris) with some of the large-fruited southern sorts, we are likely to obtain truly valuable additions to our northern fruits. None of the opuntias are especially delicate or sensitive to cold.

New York. Walter Dalton.