CONTINENT OF AMERICA. 



MEXICO. 

 LOWER CALIFORNIA. 



REPORT OF CONSUL VIOSOA, OF LA PAZ. 



Varieties. The Andalusia or Sevilla variety of culture of olives com- 

 poses the best quality for pickling in the District of Mulege, a country 

 and town bordering the gulf side of Lower California, and in latitude 

 26, 45' north, which place supplies pickled olives in barrels to the state 

 of Sonora, Sinaloa, and this portion of the territory. 



From time immemorial a kind of an olive tree of the native genus has 

 been in cultivation in the towns and valleys of Mulege, San Igna&io, 

 Pnrising, and Comondu, bearing very small but oily olives in abundance. 

 It is considered the best oil and the tree of more productiveness ; nev- 

 ertheless, for some reason or other, the oil made in this country is very 

 insignificant in quantity. 



Situation. The towns in the valleys above described contain the 

 principal olive-grove trees in the peninsula, the first bordering the sea 

 gulf, and the others located on an average of 50 miles from sea. Hilly 

 or level land is immaterial for its growth, but the exposure to the sun 

 is necessary. 



Climate. Kain-fall is an assistance, although their dependence has 

 to be entirely on irrigation. In watering the olive trees, the water is 

 made to run and form a pool around within 3 feet from the tree and 

 never to touch the stem. 



Pruning. Pruning takes place in October, and picking in the begin- 

 ning of September, that is for pickling, and for oil in the latter part of 

 October, when the fruit is ripe. 



Maturity. The trees commence fruiting after seven years old. 



Planting. Distance apart planted, 25 feet or more. Olive trees are 

 generally propagated by cuttings over a year old. 



Insect pests. A very injurious worm sometimes causes great detri- 

 ment to the tree, but it is destroyed by the use of a solution of ashes 

 mixed with lime. When the skin of the tree becomes very tight to the 

 principal stem, a few slashes or perpendicular cuts of the skin with a 

 sharp knife will enhance the tree's growth and make it prolific in fruit 

 bearing. 



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