120 



might be reproduced. It is in this manner that the great bulk of the olive 

 plantations came to an end ; nor has Tunisian olive-growing ever re-acquired its 

 preponderating position in the agriculture of the country. Nevertheless, even 

 at the present day, the importance of the industry is still very considerable, 

 and a wise Government is doing all in its power to enable the olive gradually 

 to recover lost ground. It should be stated that in all Mediterranean coun- 

 tries olive oil is, quite as much as bread, a staple article of diet with all classes 

 of the population, but particularly with the middle and the poorer classes. 

 It not only replaces butter, but is far more freely used than the latter ; and 

 particularly is this the case with the Arabs. But the olive groves of Tunisia 

 can do more than supply the immediate wants of its own population. Under 

 improved treatment, fostered by the intelligent support of government 

 measures, the available export surplus is rapidly increasing. At the present 

 moment olive oil represents one of the most important items amongst agri- 

 cultural produce exported by the country ; and in the near future there is 

 every likelihood that it will eclipse all other exports. The figures below in- 

 dicate the average value of the principal items of agricultural export during 

 the past five years 



Average Yearly Value of Principal Items oj Agricultural Produce Exported 

 from Tunisia, 1905-1909. 







Barley '. 340,399 



Olive oil . 319,414 



Wheat 123,403 



Wine 42,624 



The number of olive trees in the Regency in 1909 is given as 11,425,522. 

 The distance apart at which they are planted varies with the districts ; in 

 the north, for instance, a distance of 25ft. in all directions is usually adopted ; 

 in the centre 40ft. is the usual distance, whilst farther south as much as 80ft. 

 is generally adopted. If we assume 40ft. to be the average distance, this 

 would give us about 27 trees to the acre, and a total area under olive trees for 

 the Regency of about 423,168 acres. Many trees are as yet young, and not, 

 therefore, in full bearing. The olive oil production in the Regency during 

 the past five years is indicated below 



