. The Cottage gardener. Gardening; Gardening. 2i0 THE COTTAGE [â Ianuaky U. tliat these plants, often in tho lorra of mere masses of soft vegetable matter armed with a formidable array of close. set spines, are in immediate affinity with the gooseberry aud cm'raut, and that the fruit of the ludian figs are as refi-eshing as that of either. Opuntias, generally, are no* favourites with gardeners, and yet there are many of the dwarf species peculiarly suited for those who have little time to watch the requirements of more delicate races. The common Indian fig, Oimntia ndf/aris, like th
. The Cottage gardener. Gardening; Gardening. 2i0 THE COTTAGE [â Ianuaky U. tliat these plants, often in tho lorra of mere masses of soft vegetable matter armed with a formidable array of close. set spines, are in immediate affinity with the gooseberry aud cm'raut, and that the fruit of the ludian figs are as refi-eshing as that of either. Opuntias, generally, are no* favourites with gardeners, and yet there are many of the dwarf species peculiarly suited for those who have little time to watch the requirements of more delicate races. The common Indian fig, Oimntia ndf/aris, like the houseleek, will live for months on the tiles of a house if a foot-holding is provided for it, and without any water- ings. We have known specimens of it outliving several winters iu such airy places both in England and in Ireland. One peouharity in the growth of the Opuntias is their extending in successive joints, the connecting parts being often not larger than the stalk of an apple, while the flat pieces between these joints extend to several inches, witli the broadest end often uppermost. Yet, iu the course of time, this is changed in the stronger species into straight stems as circular aud firm as the handle of a garden rake. In short, wood for fuel is obtained from Opuntia as well as from the lofty columnar Gereuses. The great value of Opuntia is in the production of the cochineal insect, whicli is reared on the soft parts of Opmilia cochenilllfera, called nopal in South America, aud the chied insect, oochiuiUa by the Spaniards, wlio had a monopoly iu the cochineal trade before the revolt of the Spanisli American provinces. Since that revolt tliis trade has taken a more natural course from the producing plantations, or from neighbouring ports, as that from Mexico and the Spanisli Main tln-ougli the British West Indian Colonies. Tlie cochineal insect furnishes an extremely rich red colouring matter, long used iu scarlet dyeing, and in the manufacture of carmine, one of
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840, bookpublis, booksubjectgardening
