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Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [ii Dec, 191 i. 



THE OLIVE. 



L. Macdonald, Horticulturist, Dookie Agricultural College. 



A Neglected Industry. 



Up to the present the olive has not received liie attention which its 

 importance as a sub-tropical fruit demands. With the possible exception 

 of South Australia, this is evident in every other State in the Conuron- 

 wealth. This neglect is due to many causes. 



The chief ones, probably, are that our rural population is made up 

 mainly of those nationalities that are unaccustomed to the use of its pro- 

 ducts. The average Britisher or northern European does not appreciate 

 fully the value of olive oil in the cuisine or as a medicine; nor the pickled 

 olive as an adjunct to the diet. This, no doubt, is simply through being 

 unaccustomed to its use. Then the greater prospects of ready profits in 



J. OLIVES L\ BLOOM, DOOKIE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE. 



Other branches of agriculture, the wait of several years before returns can 

 be expected, the lack of knowledge regarding its culture, and the treatment 

 of its products, have all added their deterring influence, to the detriment 

 of expansion of the olive industry. Yet, we feel certain that it is destined 

 to assume important dimensions as a rural industry in Australia. 



Probably, in no country in the world, could the olive be more universally 

 •grown than in Australia. I have found it flourishing, often without atten- 

 tion, in many out of the way places in this State, where many other fruit 

 trees w^ould perish. Our climate and large tracts of our lands are entirely 

 •suited to its growth, and there can be no gainsaying the fact that the oil 

 made locally is equal, if not superior, to that manufactured in other 

 parts. 



So little attention has tihis industry claimed as yet, tliat only one of 

 the Australian States publishes returns of local production, i.e., South 



