ROEDING'S FRUIT GROWERS' GUIDE 



51 



The same tree with many of its branches thinned out, and the laterals and top growth properly pruned to develop 



an ideal tree. 



many countries of Europe, as I know from personal 

 observation, but this does not indicate that olive cul- 

 ture is a success in such soils. The trees usually are 

 scrawny, entirely lacking in the essentials which go to 

 make a perfect tree, and would cause the orchardist 

 accustomed to the fine, luxuriant trees grown in Cali- 

 fornia, to have heart failure if he had such prospects 

 before him. 



Do not make the mistake of planting the trees too 

 closely together. The olive is a gross feeder and sends 

 out a mass of small surface roots. Never plant closer 

 than thirty feet in a good, loamy soil, and forty feet 

 apart on rich deep soils. A deciduous tree may be 

 planted between, at this latter distance if it is desired, 

 with a view of taking it out as soon as the olives attain 

 any size. 



PRUNING 



When the tree is planted it should stand at least four 

 inches deeper than in the nursery rows. Allow the tree 

 to grow without much interference the first year, for the 

 more vigorous the new growth and the more of it, the 

 stronger will be the root development. The first winter 



after planting trim all the growth off except four or 

 five branches close to the head, and have these properly 

 distributed, as they will ultimately form the main 

 framework branches. Cut off two-thirds of their 

 growth. The second winter trim the tree in such a 

 manner as to leave from one to two laterals on the origi- 

 nal framework branches, bearing in mind that these 

 branches should have an upright tendency and cut 

 them in turn back at least one-half. In subsequent 

 years this same method of thinning out and shortening 

 in should be followed, and this cutting should be quite 

 severe for at least four years. The workman should not 

 always prune to an outside lateral, but should exercise 

 some judgment to balance the tree by causing some 

 branches to slope inwardly and force others to have an 

 outward tendency as illustrated in the cuts. Pruning 

 promotes sturdiness in the tree, a healthy, uniform 

 growth and a broad-bearing surface. This last fact is 

 shown by the growth of many lateral fruit-bearing 

 branches. A tree with its growth unchecked would 

 consist of several upright shoots with the fruit-bearing 

 branchlets in the top. 



