147 



was held in such high esteem by the Romans as the Olive. There are 

 two distinct types of OLen e.nropeu, one representing the plant in its wild 

 state, and the other t ie improvement that has been brought about by 

 cultivation. In its natural state the Olive is n small tree or shrub with 

 spines on its branches, and producing but comparatively little fruit. 

 This type is to be found in Greece and various parts of Western Asia and 

 North Africa. The improved type is a taller and larger tree, which, 

 under favourable conditions, will attain a heigh of thirty-five to forty 

 feet, and whose branches are free from spines. It also bears much more 

 freely than the wild type, the fruit being a drupe similar in shape to a 

 damson, with a fleshy pericarp, which has a nauseous bitter taste. 



USES. 



In modern medicine Olive oil is considered to be nutrient, emollient, 

 and laxative. For chest diseases its use is often prescribed with advantage. 

 It is freely used in the preparation of ointments, liniments and plasters. 

 When rubbed into the skin by continued friction the oil is said to have 

 proved a preventative of contagion from fevers and the plague. The 

 bark, which is very bitter and astringent, is said to be an excellent 

 substitute for Cinchona or Peruvian bark. For dietary purposes Olive 

 oil is in great demand among the nations of Southern Europe, and it 

 appears in some form at nearly every meal. The unripe fruit is 

 extensively used as a pickle, and is considered to be serviceable in 

 promoting digestion, increasing the appetite, and neutralizing the effects 

 of intoxicating drinks. The Castile, or Spanish, soap is made by mixing 

 Olive oil with soda. A soft soap is also made by mixing oil with potash. 

 The wood of the Olive when it reaches maturity is hard and compact, 

 though somewhat brittle It is of a pale reddish colour, takes a fine 

 polish,, and is used by turners and toy-makers to some extent in Europe 

 and Asia. The flowers of Olea frarjr'tnx, a highly-scented species, are 

 used in China for flavouring tea. 



OLIVE CULTURE AS AN INDUSTRY. 



Olive cultivation is a staple agricultural industry in Italy, Spain, 

 Portuo-al, Greece, and the South of France, .ind in all those countries it 

 affords a large amount of employment. In these countries Olive culti- 

 vation is generally regarded as a sure and profitable industry, the returns 

 being fairly regular, and a market always open for the produce. Another 

 advantage is that the trees will stand drought better than most other 

 fruits, and are, therefore, specially well adapted for our interior districts. 

 They are not liable to serious attacks from insects and other pests, and 

 under fairly favourable conditions will attain a great age. There are 

 now existing in Greece and other parts of Europe trees that are known to 

 be several hundred years old, and they still yield good crops of fruit. 

 In Italy there is a common saying that if a man desires to leave a good 

 inheritance to his children he should plant Olive trees. From experience 

 it has been found that in Europe the Olive can be cultivated successfully 



