THE OLIVE TREE ] 111 



end, middling or large in size, and matures in November- 

 December turning to reddish violet. The tree is fairly 

 productive, sometimes producing very heavy crops. The 

 fruit is very rich in oil of excellent quality, and is 

 apparently not very liable to the attacks of the olive -fly. 

 It is also a good pickling olive, but keeps badly and 

 should be consumed as soon as possible. 



g) The FRENCH OLIVE. (^A=Zebbug Francis. 

 \t~Gkiandara or Franzone). The tree is large, and 

 particularly resistant to drought. The foliage is of a 

 duller green than that of the Sicilian variety, and is 

 longer and narrower. The fruit is large or very large, 

 much elongated, acorn-shaped, and turns to reddish 

 violet at maturity in November- December. The stone is 

 small, thin, elongated and acutely pointed at both ends. 

 The fruit is a first class pickling olive, and keeps well. 

 The tree is fairly prolific, and also a fast grower under 

 good cultivation. 



h). The WHITE OLIVE. (^Zebbiig abjad. It = 

 biancolilla or oliva bianca) so called because the fruit 

 becomes very light green at maturity, occasionally mottled 

 or shaded purple. The tree is middling in size, and is 

 fairly productive. It has the appearance of the "Fran- 

 tojo" olive. The fruit is of the size of the Marsala olive, 

 but is usually elliptical, and slightly pointed at the 

 extremity. This is a table olive of fairly good quality, 

 but does not keep well. The White Olive of Attica 

 (Greece) is a distinct variety, with smaller fruits, more 

 decidedly white, and so far has not been introduced 

 in these Islands. 



i). The SPANISH OLIVE. (N(.Zebbug ta Spanja 

 or ta Sivilja. It Sivig liana, Spagna). The tree is 

 middling or large, of fairly strong constitution, resistant 

 to drought and fairly productive. The leaves are deep 

 dull green, broad and rather short. The fruit is large or 

 very large, more or less heart-shaped, roundish or slightly 

 oval, acutely pointed at the extremity, with the point 



