CONTINENT OF ASIA. 



ASIA MINOR.* 



REPORT BY CONSUL EMMETT, OF SMYRNA. 



Varieties. The best variety for pickling is the round olive 5 the best 

 variety for olive oil is the " coloves n (stemless). The other choice vari- 

 eties for pickles (eating) and oil, worthy of culture and for profit, are 

 the "Adramitti" olives. 



Situation. The trees that produce the varieties above given are grown 

 in valley, hillside, table land, and plain, and near the sea and many 

 days from it ; elevation above sea-level is 3 to 6,500 feet ; exposure to 

 sun is immaterial, as the climate here is mild and agreeable. 



The trees are grown in every soil, and good results are obtained on 

 valley, hill-side, or table-land, except where the soil is marshy. The 

 character of the soil and subsoil is calcareous. 



Climatic influence. The olive tree does not thrive in the open air 

 except in latitude 43, and where the temperature is not lower than 15 

 to 20 Fahrenheit. 



Temperature. Minimum, 32 ; maximum, 95 ; average, 68 Fahreii 

 heit. 



Rain-fall. The annual rain-fall at Mitylene is about 25 inches. Eain 

 is always very good, but after September. If it rains during the flow- 

 ering of olive trees April and May and when the fruit is very small 

 June, July, and August the crop is not likely to be good, as it falls off 

 prematurely. 



Irrigation. When a plantation of olive trees is made it should be im- 

 mediately irrigated and the irrigation is to be repeated every two weeks 

 for three years, during the months of April, May, June, July, and Au- 

 gust, according as the weather may be more or less dry ; but after three 

 years no irrigation of any kind is needed here. 



Cultivation. Olive groves are ploughed in the spring to tbe depth of 

 1 inch in the clear spots, and 2 to 3 inches deep in the vicinity of the 

 trees; but after the ploughing is over they always dig the soil round 

 the trees with a spade. 



Pruning. At Mitylene we prune the olive trees every year after the 

 crop with great attention, removing the dried and high branches, 

 because it is not necessary that the olive tree should be higher than 

 20 feet. 



* From information supplied by the United States consular agent at Mitylene, an 

 extensive olive cultivator. 

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