Chap. 4.] FIFTEEN VARIETIES OF OLIYES. 281 



which is in reality only the near approach of corruption. A 

 second error, too, is the supposition that the oil increases pro- 

 portionably to the flesh of the berry, it being the fact that the 

 oil is all the time undergoing a change into flesh, and the stone 

 is growing larger and larger within. It is for this reason 

 more particularly, that care is taken to water the tree at this 

 period ; the real result of all this care and attention, as well as 

 of the fall of copious rains, being, that the oil in reality is 

 absorbed as the berry increases in size, unless fine dry weather 

 should happen to set in, which naturally tends to contract the 

 volume of the fruit. According to Theophrastus, 26 heat is the 

 sole primary cause of the oleaginous principle ; for which reason 

 it is, that in the presses, 27 and in the cellars even, great fires 

 are lighted to improve the quality of the oil. 



A third error arises from misplaced economy : to spare the 

 expense of gathering, people are in the habit of waiting till the 

 berry falls from the tree. Others, again, who wish to follow a 

 middle course in this respect, beat the fruit off with poles, and 

 so inflict injury on the tree and ensure loss in the succeeding 

 year ; indeed, there was a very ancient regulation in existence 

 relative to the gathering of the olive — " Neither pull nor 

 beat the olive-tree. 28 " Those who would observe a still greater 

 degree of precaution, strike the branches lightly with a reed on 

 one side of them ; but even then the tree is reduced to bearing 

 fruit but once in two years, 29 in consequence of the injury done 

 to the buds. Not less injurious, however, are the results of 

 waiting till the berries fall from the tree ; for, by remaining on 

 it beyond the proper time, they deprive the crop that is coming 

 on of its due share of nutriment, by occupying its place : a 

 clear proof of which is, that if they are not gathered before the 

 west winds prevail, they are found to have acquired renewed 

 strength, and are all the later before they fall. 



CHAP. 4. FIFTEEN VARIETIES OF OLIVES. 



The first olive that is gathered after the autumn is that 



*s De Causis, B. i. c. 23. 



27 This cannot possibly increase the oil, but it would render it more 

 fluid, and thereby facilitate its escape from the cells of the berry. 



28 But Cato, Be Bust. c. 144, adds the very significant words, " injussu 

 domini aut eustodis." " Without the leave of the owner or the keeper." 



29 It is found that the olive, after an abundant season, will not bear in 

 the following year ; probably the result of exhaustion. 



