lo Jan., 191 2.] The Olive. 69 



composed of the inner bark of the eucalypt, mosses, lichens, cobwebs, 

 and grasses, whilst the inner lining consists of grasses and fine shreds of 

 bark. They are usually placed on the topmost branches of eucalypts, 

 and though often found are most difficult to obtain, being fortunately 

 out of the reach of boys. 



As this bird is one of the best destroyers of noxious insects, it should, 

 needless to say, receive every protection. 



THE. OLIVE. 



L. Macdonald, Horticulturist, Dookie Agricultural College. 

 {Continued from page Sjg. Vol. IX.) 



Propagation. 



The olive is one of the easiest trees to raise. It is propagated either 

 from seeds, cuttings (as truncheons, hard wood, or terminal cuttings), 

 sprouts, stools, or the excrescences found on the base of the tree. 



Seeds. — Like the peach, apricot, and other deciduous trees, the olive 

 fails to come true from seed ; and, in the majority of cases, there is a 

 rever'sion to more or less wild and worthless types. Hence, all seedlings, 

 except those that are retained where it is desired to raise new varieties, 

 should be worked over with selected varieties, either by budding or 

 grafting. 



The .seed mav be planted out 'a the open nursery or started in small 

 l)eds where conditions can be controlled better, and planted out in their 

 second season's growth. The latter is, perhaps, the more suitable method. 

 In either case, the soil should be well prepared. The seed should be 

 obtained, if possible, from selected trees. The pulp should be thoroughly 

 removed before planting. A good method of doing this is by soaking 

 the .seed in an alkaline solution made up of j to | lb. of caustic soda 

 to I gallon of water. Cracking the outer shell can also be adopted, but 

 should be carried out with care so that no injury may be done to the 

 kernel. This is a slow process and is not recommended for general pur- 

 poses. 



The seed should be sown i to 2 in. in depth and covered with some 

 friable material. Where surface watering is adopted, a light mulch of 

 short horse manure, or some such material, is advantageous, as it prevents 

 the ground " caking " on top or cracking. 



Germination is often tardy and irregular where no injury has been 

 done to the outer .shell, the seed sometimes remaining in the ground many 

 months without makmg growth. Quicker results are obtained with those 

 seeds whose outer shell has been injuried in some way, thus permitting 

 the, moisture to gain more ready access to the kernel. Seeds may be 

 sown as soon as the fruit is fully ripe or at any time through the winter 

 months, say from; May to September. 



Cuttings. — ^The various sorts of cuttings are used chiefly for repro- 

 ducing selected varieties. They mav, however, be worked over with other 

 kinds by either budding or grafting. This is sometimes done to diminish 

 or increa.se the vigour of certain varieties. 



Truncheons. — These may be obtained from heavy limbs split in 

 quarters, or from round branches i to 3 in. in diameter. Those of a 

 diameter from 2 to 3 in. are the most suitable for planting out. They 



