lo April, 19 12.] Tlte Olive. 215 



Two different types are again illustrated at F and G. The former are 

 from Conditiver and show the solitary, terminal fruiting habit of this 

 variety. The latter are from Nigerrima and show the clustering at the 

 terminal jooint that often occurs on this and other varieties. The branches 

 of fruit at A are from the Uvaria variety. 



Before stopping to review the various types of wood depicted on No. 

 14, it would, perhaps, be better to consider the nature of the various types 

 shown on No. 15. They represent four of the most characteristic laterals 

 found on well-cared-for trees. 



Fig. A is a branching lateral in its third season's growth. A couple 

 of lea\es may be noticed still growing on that portion that is indicated at 

 e, which is the extent of the first year's growth. Wliere those leaves re- 

 main on wood of this age, it often happens that fruit is born from buds 

 that break out at their axils, as was shown at Fig. E. on No. 14. The 

 fruit buds may be observed at / springing from the axils of the leaves. 

 This is on the second season's growth, which terminates at g. A further 

 extension is being made at // during the third season. 



The three remaining types shown in this plate belong to what are 

 known as one-year (or season)-old laterals at pruning. They were photo- 

 graphed at the beginning of their second season's growth, in whxh they 

 subsequently develop fruit. A very free development of fruit buds may be 

 noticed practically the whole length of those at B and C. The difference 

 occurs only at the terminal point. On those shown at B a further extension 

 is being made at i, while at j, in the other pair, the terminal point has 

 ceased to make any further wood extension and has developed only flower 

 buds. This terminal fruiting habit is most apparent in those shoots that 

 have a downward or drooping tendency and are not likely to recontinue in 

 active growth. Those shown at D are what are commonly known as barren 

 laterals. The terminal point of the first season's growth is indicated at 

 K, while a further fresh extension is being made. These laterals often 

 serve a useful purpose by sheltering the more permanent parts of the tree, 

 besides sometimes developing fruit in their third or fourth season's 

 growth. 



After a careful examination of the types of wood illustrated in Nos. 

 14 and 15 it is manifest that the olive is essentially a " lateral-bearing" 

 tree. That is, it produces its fruit chiefiy on comparatively long slender 

 growths that extend from year to year from the more permanent parts of 

 the tree; also, that the great bulk of the fruiting wood is of last season's 

 growth. The best class of this fruit bearing wood is represented by those 

 types depicted at Figs. B and C in No. 14 and at B and C in No. 15. 

 In the majority of cases, however, once these laterals fruit, their decline sets 

 in. This tendency is more marked in those that have assumed a drooping 

 or downward tendency. Hence, one of the most important objects in the 

 treatment of established trees is the encouragement from year to year of a 

 good supply of these fresh laterals for fruiting in the following season. 



If the trees are left to themselves the laterals extend very slowly 

 owing to the crowding that usually results and the deterioration that takes 

 place in the wood. The fruit is then borne on the few inches of growth 

 that is made at the terminal points and chiefly on the outside of the tree. 

 The branch shown on No. 16 gives a fair indication of what happens 

 where the vigour is diminished and continual subdivisions take place. It 

 is plain that any fruit borne on the terminals of these many deteriorated 

 laterals will be inferior in quality and more difficult to gather than that 

 which is produced on the strong-growing ones. 



