II Dec, 1911-] 



The Olive. 



835 



In Victoria, olive culture has as yet received but scant consideration. 

 However, a growing demand exists for seme tree suitable for shelter plant- 

 ing that is also of some economic value during its lifetime. The olive has 

 many qualities that commend it for those purposes. Well established trees 

 may be found growing in widely distant parts of this State, e.g-, at Ard- 

 mona, Bendigo, Dookie, Echuca, Horsham, Kyabram, Mildura, St. 

 Arnaud, and Wangaratta, showing that it will adapt itself readily tb a 

 great range of soils and conditions. 



The planting of olives was started in the seventies of la.st 

 century at the Dookie Agricultural College. They were imported 

 in the form of truncheons, which for the voyage out from 

 Europe were packed in damp mo.s and covered with oiled paper. 

 On their arrival they were planted out in nnrserv rows and not 



SECTION OF TREK SHOWN 



NO. 



one failed to strike ; the next season they were planted out in their 

 permanent positions. Ten \aricties were obtained. The hulk of the con- 

 signment was, however, composed of the two varieties known as Rubra, tlie 

 " Caillet Olive," and Polymorpha, the " ^^'eelMng Olive." Although the 

 varieties mentioned are not htavy oil producers, the (|uality of the oil 

 obtained from them is excellent. A number of varieties that show a higher 

 oil test have been added of late years, including two trees of the Heri>e- 

 (]uina variety. intro<lu(<'d by Mr. V . ^\v Cnstella. 'Hie latter variet\ is noted 

 in Catalonia (Spain) ior ils oil [Moducing <|ualities. 



The area in Victori.i under olives, and t'u' uses to which tin- produce 

 is put, are not available. However, statistics are colh'cted everv throe 

 years, showing ihe nuinlxr of iiccs |ilantr(| out. 

 returns : - 



The following are the 



P.MIJ 



. ufTic. 



:i,74 i 



Vi'iir. 



mi*.") 



No. of Tiif! 

 4,Mt2 



I '.MIS 



No. ..f Tiv 



As no i< turns are av.iilable regarding thr i|u.nititv ol Dil i>roiluc(d, their 

 comnienial \alue r.uinoi Ik,- <'stiui.i|ed. It i.s obvious, however, that not 



