87 



Grasse are worth from 200 to 250 per ac^e. Tor many 

 details the tract on the " Culture of Olive and its Utiliza- 

 tion," here recently issued by the Rev. Dr. Bleasdale 

 should be consulted, as it rests largely on its author's 

 observations during a long stay in Portugal. The olive 

 oil imported last year into Victoria was valued at 

 15,538. 



The following notes are derived from the important " Tratado 

 del Cultivo del Olivo en Espana," by the Chev. Capt. Jose 

 de Hidalgo-Tablada (second edit., Madrid 1870). The 

 Olive-tree will resist for a short time considerable frost 

 ( 15 C.) provided the thawing takes place under fogs or 

 mild rain (or perhaps under a dense smoke). It requires 

 for ripening its fruit about one-third more annual warmth 

 than the Vine. The Olive zones of South Europe and North 

 Africa are between the 18 and 44 N.L. An elevation of 

 about 550 feet corresponds in Spain, as far as this culture is 

 concerned, to one degree further north. Olives do not grow 

 well on granitic soil. The fruit produced on limestone 

 formations is of the best quality. Gypsum promotes the 

 growth of the tree (which thus may perhaps prosper in 

 parts of the Murray-desert, underlaid with G-ypsum). An 

 equable temperature serves best ; thus exposure to prevail- 

 ing strong winds is to be avoided. The winter temperature 

 should not fall below 7 C. The content of oil in the 

 fruit varies from 10 to 20 per cent. ; sometimes it even 

 exceeds the latter proportion. In the Provence at an 

 average 24 Ibs. of Olive Oil are consumed by each individual 

 of the population ; in Southern Germany nearly 60 Ibs., in 

 Andalusia about 30 Ibs. For obtaining the largest quantity 

 of oil the fruit must be completely ripe. Hand-picked 

 Olives give the purest oil. Knocking the fruits from the 

 branches with sticks injures the tree and lessens its produc- 

 tiveness in the next year. About 30 Olive-trees can be 

 planted conveniently on an acre for permanence ; each tree 

 under ordinary circumstances will produce fruits for 4 Ibs. 

 to 5 Ibs. of oil annually. Spain alone produces about 

 250,000,000 Ibs. of Olive Oil a year. 



