148 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



THE PROFITABLE OLIVE. 



Every few days the experience of some olive grower appears in the papers. 

 With all that can be truthfully said about the large profits from oranges, 

 raisins, and other products, the olive will equal, if not exceed, them all, 

 verifying the old adage that " an olive plantation is a gold mine on the 

 surface of the earth." The " Templeton Times," San Luis Obispo County, 

 lately gave the following in point: 



" Major Utt has an olive orchard of twenty-five bearing trees, planted in 

 orchard seven years to include 1886; the product of ten of them last year 

 was seven hundred and fifty gallons of olives. He sold the surplus crop 

 at 40 cents per gallon, casks furnished, for $12 per tree. Fifty gallons of 

 average crop to the tree at twelve years from the planting of the orchard 

 would be a low estimate, and this amount would make six and a quarter 

 gallons of oil. Ellwood Cooper gets $10 a gallon for his oil. Increased 

 production will lower the wholesale price to $4 per gallon, or at the lowest 

 $25 per tree, equal to $900 per acre. Allow one half for expenses and 

 interest on investment, and you have the net sum of $450 per acre as net 

 profits. Mr. Loop has been offered 80 cents a gallon for all the pickles." 



All authorities from one thousand years back to this day say the olive 

 should be planted on dry soil, and needs but little water. Good cultivation 

 is essential, as it is to success in the growth of any profitable crop. 



An authority on olive growing says: " The trees grow readily from cuttings, 

 and begin to bear in the fourth year of their permanent planting from one- 

 year old rooted cuttings. A paying crop will be gathered on favorable soil 

 the fifth year." 



