Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 286, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 December 1913 — CACTUS LEATHER NEW PRODUCT [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CACTUS LEATHER NEW PRODUCT

Giant Saguaro irom Mexico Adapted to New Use. Tbe recent discovery ot a new product. called cacLus leather, Was an accident. like a great many other useful discoveries. There are almost a thousand species of cacti, a large number of which forest the deserts of Arizona and some of the states, and extend far into Mexico. The saguaro cactus, or Cereus giganteus, the largest growth of all, which towers sometimes to a height of 45 feet or more, heretofore has never been utilized for any purpose, except that the fruit is sometimes eaten by the Indians. In Mexico the maguey plant is largely used in the manufacture of pulque, mescal, tequila and agua miel, and the fiber for rope and matting. From the pulp of the leaves paper is made. --- Tuna, the fruit of the opuntia, is relisned by many. The ocotillo has served usefully in the construction of houses, or shacks, and fences for the Mexicans and Indians. From the niggerhead cactus echinocactus wislizenii —cactus candy is made by softening the fiber by boiling and filling the pores with sugar. Other species of cacti have limited uses. In Tucson one day, while handling a piece of the echinocactus wislizenii, the writer noticed, after the moisture was pressed from the fiber, the great strength and pliability :t possessed. When dry, however, it became brittle and chalklike. Experiments, in an-ef-fort to obtain strength and pliability

in the fiber when dry, led to a success afterabout a year of careful work. It was discovered that the giant saguaro was particularly adapted to the manufacture of cactus leather products. The heart of the saguaro Is peculiarly formed, being a series of rods or poles set in a circle, extending from top to bottom of the cactus, and into the earth in the form of roots. This heart of the cactus also proved of great value in the manufacture of many fancy articles, such as baskets, caneholders, boxes, picture frames, veneers and for numerous other purposes too varied to mention. When used In this way sufficient of the fiber is left adhering to the rods to bind them together In the form desired. After tanning and drying this fiber makes a tough, leathery Joint, which binds the sticks together in the most secure manner.

The Giant Saguaro.