1732 J- M. PRIEGO 



The " Estadistica de la riqueza territorial " published in 1879 shows 

 that this area had decreased to i 972 877 acres. 



In the " Avance sobre la produccion del Olivo " jiublished by the 

 " Junta Consultiva Agrononiica " in 1888 the area under olive groves is 

 given as 2 849 932 acres. 



In 1897 the « Estadistica del Servicio agronomico » gives the total 

 area as 304 941 013 acres and in 1903 the publication of the same depart- 

 ment shows that the area has increased to 3293258 acres. 



According to the " Avance estadistico de la riqueza que en Espana 

 representa la produccion media anual del Olivo y otras cosechas " which 

 has recently been published by the " Junta Consultiva Agronomica ", the 

 average area under olives for the period 1904 to 1912 was 3 400 070 acres. 



Finally the 'i Estadistica de las producciones viticola y olivarera en 

 el ano 1915 ' ' published by the same body gives the area as 3 659 644 acres. 



It can be seen from these figures, that the area imder olive groves 

 is increasing and has been doubled in 57 years. Of the thirteen agri- 

 cultural districts into which Spain is divided Western Andalusia has the 

 largest olive growing area with i 229 578 acres, followed by Eastern An- 

 dalusia with 758 428. At present these two districts contain more than 

 half the olive growing acreage in Spain. 



The yield per acre varies very nuTch from one year to another. A 

 comparison of the average yields of various periods does not clearly con- 

 form to the law of variations which might be ap])lied. The average produc- 

 tion in the ten year period from 1S91 to 1900 was 8 049 lbs. per acre, that 

 of the following fifteen year period was 14 556 lbs. per acre ; from 1906 

 to 1910 the average yield was 12 259 lbs. per acre, and from 1911 to 1915. 

 16 326 lbs. per acre. 



The value of the olive production has gradually increased The figures 

 given in the " Avance estadistico de la Junta Consultiva Agronomica " 

 which summerises the financial returns of the period 1903-1910 are the 

 following: 



Average value of the oil 523 032 



Average value of the green olives . ... 305 361 



Average value of the leaves used as fodder . 492219 



Average value of the wood as fuel 323907 



Average value of the residues ot the fruit . 665 163 



Average value of the oil for tanning . . . 209 126 



In the south and east of Spain the cultivation of the olive is being 

 developed and is verj' ])rosperous ; but in these districts large areas are 

 found, suitable for new plantations, which are still tmcultivated. 



The economic returns from the areas in cultivation could be improved 

 by the expenditure of increased capital and care in the planting, main- 

 taining, manuring of the groves. Such expenditure, as experience has clearly 

 shown will be amply repaid by the tree. 



