836 Journal of Agriculture, Victoria. [ri Dec, 1911. 



much of the produce is finding its way to the market, as is the case in other 

 States. At the present time, the only two places in Victoria where olive 

 oil is manufactured in a commercial way are, I believe, Dookie Agricul- 

 tural College and Mildura. Olive growing was started much later in the 

 latter place than in the former. 



In New South Wales, some valuable work has been done, and is still 

 being done, in testing the olive in different parts. This is advanced most, 

 I believe, at the VVagga Experimental Farm, where a number of selected 

 varieties are growing. However, these plantings are as yet small and in 

 widely scattered parts. No particulars regarding the production of oil (if 

 any) are available. 



Botanical Note. 



The numerous varieties of olives in cultivation to-day are descendants of, 

 or varieties from, the original species Olea eiirofoea, which belongs to the 

 natural order Oleacea. Some doubt has existed among botanists regarding 

 the original habitat of this species. It is now more generally accepted, 

 however, that it is a native of Asia Minor. According to de Candolle, it 

 was introduced from that place, by inunigrants, into Greece, Italy, and 

 other countries bordering on the Mediterranean. It has again been taken, 

 mainly by people of Southern Europe, to different countries scattered prac- 

 tically all over the more temperate regions of the world. 



Different species of Olea are found in several of the warmer coun- 

 tries of Asia and Europe ; in the West Indies and Mauritius ; one in North 

 America, and two in Australasia. The two species native to Australasia are 

 O. panicidata (R.Br.), commonly known in different localitie.Si as Marble 

 Wood, Native Olive, Iron Wood, &c. ; and O. apctala (Vahl), the " Maire '' 

 of New Zealand. We have also several species of Noielaa, which belongs 

 to the same order. These are known variously by their vernacular names, 

 as the Silkwood Olive (A^. Ugustrina), Queensland Olive (A^ ovata), and 

 Mock Olive {N . longifolia). These trees must not be confounded with the 

 true native olives, nor yet should the Olive Plum {Eloeodendrum melano- 

 carpum and E. australe), or the Olive Berry Tree {Elaocarpus cyaneus), as 

 they belong to different orders. 



The order Oleacccc comprises 17 genera and at least 124 species, which 

 have a very wide distribution. Some botanists include in this order the 

 Jasminum, which resembles the olive in many respects, but the latter is 

 now more generally separated with the Nyctanthes, under the order Jas- 

 mincce, which contains about 50 species. 



Not only does the natural order to which the olive belongs provide us- 

 with a tree of the very first economic importance, and several others of 

 lesser importance, but it supplies many of our well-known garden shrubs 

 and ornamental trees, such as the Privet {Ligustrum), Fringe-Tree {Chion- 

 antJius), Jasmine Box {PJiillyrca), Lilac (Syringa), Flowering Ash {Fraxi- 

 nus oriius), and the Common Ash (Fraxinus excelsior). Nearly all of 

 the members of this order are very easily propagated by cuttings or layers. 



Climate. 



The cultivated olive is undoubtedly one of the most hardy and adaptable 

 of trees. Although grown for ages in the countries bordering on the Medi- 

 terranean, it has been carried from this region to various parts of the world 

 where the climate is found to be similar. 



As yet, the number of olives in this country is comparatively small. At 

 the same time, they are scattered over a very wide area, and are suflficient 

 to indicate the effect of our conditions on the olive. If one is to judge by 

 the contentment and general thriftiness of the tree wherever it is met with. 



