I 



CROPS OF THE COLONY. 65 



Like some of the vines, some of the olive varieties are found only in 

 the colony, wliile others, >vhieh huxe received local names in Alyeriu, 

 are wideh^ distri))uted in ^Mediterranean countries. 



The olive grov/s wild in almost every part of Algeria, here and 

 there forming- actual forests, some of which were formerly of nuich 

 greater extent than they are to-day. Tiie fruits of these wild trees 

 are worthless, but the stocks are much used for grafting with improved 

 varieties. In Ka1)ylia especially, the area in olive orchards is being 

 ra})idly extended by grafting wild trees. 



The olive flourishes in a great variety of soils and is less sensitive 

 than citrus fruits to cold and drought. Yet it has limitations, which 

 nuist be considered when a new orchard is to be established. Well- 

 drained soils, having a consideral)le slope, give the best results. The 

 maximum oil production is said to be obtained from soils rich in lime. 

 Sunny situations are to be preferred, although in districts subject to 

 frosts in spring it is desirable that the trees should not lie in a position 

 where the tirst rays of the sun can strike them in the morning. A 

 paying crop can not be expected in districts where temperatures as 

 low as 25 ' F. or exceeding 105"^ F. are fre([uent. 



In respect to elevation, olives will not thrive in Algeria at an alti- 

 tude of much more than 3,000 feet, and appear to do best ))etween 

 1,()()() and 2,000 feet above sea level. In the immediate neighborhood 

 of the sea the orchards suiter most from the ravages of certain insect 

 enemies and of a bacterial disease. Olive orchards are particularly 

 protital)le in districts like the Chelitf Valley, where they can be irri- 

 gated three or four times during the winter. If irrigation in summer 

 is also possilile, the 3'ield can often be doubled. At each wateiing, 

 from 1..5 to 2 acre-feet is applied. 



AVhere an orchard is to be started with ,young trees, these are set 

 out in most parts of Algeria to best advantage at intervals of 30 feet, 

 in rows 50 feet apart. Sometimes the quincunx plan is adopted. On 

 irrigated land, about 40 trees to the acre is the proper number. 

 Planting is done during the winter, preferably in December or January. 

 After six or eight years an orchard started with trees 5 feet high and 

 2 or 3 inches in diameter will generally i)ay expenses, and in tifteen 

 years it will be in full bearing. 



Other cultures are not permitted in the orchard, unless the water 

 supply is ample and the soil is either naturally very fertile or is well 

 manured. Cereals are often grown among the trees, but this tends to 

 diminish the yield of fruit, and is generally discontinued after the 

 trees begin to bear. On the other hand, where water is plentiful, the 

 growing of broad beans and similar leguminous crops in olive orchards 

 is a good practice. 



28932— No. 80— 05 d 



