14H 



in localities where the mean temperature averages from fifty-eight to 

 sixty-six degrees, and that the trees are not materially injured by four or 

 five degrees of frost. Proximity to the sea is in Europe also generally 

 considered to be a favourable condition in the cultivation of the Olive. 

 In may parts of Australasia the conditions for the culture of this fruit are 

 quite as favourable, so far as regards climate and soil, as they are in the 

 Olive-growing countries of the south of Europe. The warmer districts 

 are specially suitable, but the Olive may be grown with success in all but 

 the coldest regions. Though as yet this plant has received but little 

 attention for commercial purposes, and its cultivation has hardly passed 

 the experimental stage, yet many good specimens of oil have been 

 produced from various localities. There is no reason why Olive culture 

 should not prove a profitable agricultural industry if carried on under the 

 proper conditions. A considerable quantity of Olive oil is used in 

 Australasia, and the fruit is in demand to some extent as a pickle. Our 

 growers ought certainly to be able to command the home market, in 

 competition with European producers. Though labour is more costly 

 than in Europe, yet on the other hand Australasian growers will have the 

 counter-balancing advantage of a home market and the saving of packing 

 and other exporting charges, which materially lower the prices to European 

 cultivators. Then, again, it must be remembered that Olive-growing to a 

 limited extent need not interfere with any ordinary farm industries, as 

 the necessary work can be done chiefly at times when other crops require 

 but little or no attention, and the fruit can be gathered with the labour 

 of women and children. 



CULTIVATION. 



J 'reparation of the Land and P hutting. The Olive may be grown 

 successfully in any fair, ordinary good, garden soil, but it thrives to 

 perfection in a calcareous loam with a moderately dry subsoil. Still' clay 

 is uncongenial, and the tree, as a rule, does not do well in granite soils. 

 Limestone formations give usually the heaviest crops, and the fruit yields 

 the largest proportion of oil. The best situation for an Olive plantation 

 is a gentle slope, with an aspect that allows the trees to get the full 

 benefit of the early morning sun. Deep culture, as in the case of other- 

 trees, is essential to the Olive, and more especially if the soil is close and 

 tenacious. When practicable the ground should be stirred to a depth of 

 at least fifteen inches, except in very light land, when an ordinary 

 ploughing may be a sufficient preparation. Drainage must be provided 

 when necessary, as the Olive is very sensitive to an excess of water at its 

 roots, and will not thrive in soddened ground. Trees may be planted at 

 any time between April and September, the former being the most 

 favourable month, if plants in suitable condition for removal can be 

 obtained. When planted in the autumn, while the ground is warm from 

 the summer heat, growth becomes at once active, and the trees get fairly 

 staited before the cold weather sets in. But it must be borne in mind 

 that the trees ;ire not fit for transplanting unless their summer growth 

 has hardened, as otherwise their shoots will die back. If the trees are 



