228 Aniirican Jlorticultural Societi/. 



Then take one ounce of concentrated lye and dissolve it in water. To 

 one-third of this solution add water enough to cover one gallon of olives. 

 After a day or two pour ofT this water and add another lye of the same 

 strength. This may bo repeated once more, as live or six days are consunjod 

 in taking out the bitterness with the lye. The lye should be used until the 

 fruit suits the taste. Then the olives are put in pure, fresh water until the 

 alkali is well removed. This can be ascertained by the color of the water 

 and by the taste. In salting, use about ton pminds to the barrel of olives, water 

 enough being used to cover the fruit. Barrel up tight and keep in a cool 

 place. The process should be conducted in the dark, as the light is apt to 

 injure the color. The celebrated olives pickled after the manner of Picho- 

 lini are put under a treatment of lye made more alkaline by the addition of 

 quick-lime. After leaving the olives a certain length of time, until the pulp 

 separates easily from the seed, a condition wlych depends upon the strength 

 of the lye and the size of the olives, they are then washed and put in strong 

 brine." 



My attention was called as early as 1874 to the condition of the trees in 

 and around Santa Barbara from the ravages of the accux t//ett', commonly 

 known as the black scale, and which was always followed by the black 

 fungus. An olive tree once attacked with the scale bug, unless cleaned, 

 will soon be infested so that it can not bear fruit. 



Pruning is the mcst essential thing, and the remedy of the greatest vital 

 importance. If trees are properly pruned, so as to admit of free circulation 

 of air and the sunlight, more than half the battle is gained. In fact, trees in 

 such condition, where the ground is well tilled and kept free from rubbish, 

 are not so liable to the attack, and if attacked each scale insect can reailily 

 be seen, and should be removed without delay. Orchardists who adopt this 

 plan will have very little trouble, even in badly infected districts. The in- 

 sects will be found to inhabit that portion of the tree where the foliage is 

 most dense, where the sunlight is shut out, and free circulation prevented. 

 There is not so much in the remedy as in its application. While certain 

 remedies may be etlectual in the hands of some, in the hands of others they 

 will not be sufficient. Constant watching and constant fighting is the only 

 sure plan to prevent the si)read of insect pests in localities where trees !iro 

 atl'ected. The remedy that I have linally adopted as being the most ellectual 

 is the application of kerosene-oil. 



The olive will thrive and do well in almost every part of California, and, 

 while there may be fruits t"liat yield better incomes, no tree offers so much 

 and so certain as a permanent investment. Oil-making can not be over- 

 done. The demand for olive-oil, at good prices, must increase more rapidly 

 than the production. But those who embark in the business must remem- 

 ber that no trees require greater care to insure profit. In olive-growing we 

 are independent of high-priced laln)r, the picking being done in the winter 

 time after all other fruits are gathered. We are, comimrativoly .-peaking, 

 independent of the freight question, as the value is great in small I ulk. The 

 fruit is not perishable. 



