618 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



circular granite receptacle, worked by horse-power like a pudding-mill. 

 About 100 pounds of fruit are pulped at one crushing. The time occu- 

 pied is usually about twenty minutes. The pulp is then placed in an 

 oval rice sack and the oil pressed out in a press of rather peculiar con- 

 struction. 



The sacks are placed one on top of another inclosed in a strong iron-bound frame, 

 resting on a cemented bottom with a false bottom grooved, so as to allow the oil to run 

 away. Pressure is applied with a piece of wood, called a tongue, which is attached 

 to a heavy beam or lever. 



It appears that this kind of pressure, which is perpendicular, has 

 been found by experience to extract the oil better than a screw press, 

 which it is said confines the oil in the pulp, while the slow, steady press- 

 ure of the lever causes it to trickle through the bags. The oil of the 

 first pressure is called u virgin oil,' 7 and the report on some sent by Sir 

 Samuel Davenport to Italy was, "that it resembles the * sublime 'oil 

 more than the oil of commerce." The oil of the second pressure is of 

 inferior quality and is run into slate cisterns kept specially for its re- 

 ception. This quality of oil is used by manufacturers and sold at a lower 

 price than virgin oil. The utmost cleanliness is practiced in the process 

 throughout, the mills and presses being washed every day with hot 

 water and soda. The South Australian oil commands a higher price 

 than the imported oil and carried off the first prize at the Vienna Inter- 

 national Exhibition. The oil made at the Adelaide gaol is also of very 

 superior quality, and the process is said to be more economical than 

 that employed by Sir Samuel Davenport. A press with hydraulic power 

 is used at the gaol. 



Samples of the Australian oil were sent to the Colonial and Indian 

 Exhibition in London, in 1886. It was so highly refined and the cost 

 of production so heavy that it was necessary to exclude it from the 

 manufacturer's schedule, namely. 2s. (49 cents) per pound quoted. That 

 exhibited by Sir Samuel Davenport was described as being equal to 

 the finest Lucca brands. 



GL W. GRIFFIN, 



Consul. 



UNITED STATES CONSULATE, 



Sydney, January 21, 1890. 



FIJI. 



Whether olives have been experimented with or not, I am unable to 

 say, but I think not. That they are not grown here I know. 



The only fruit grown here for export is bananas and pines, both of 

 which are quite extensively grown. 



ANDREWS A. ST. JOHN, 



Commercial Agent. 

 UNITED STATES COMMERCIAL AGENCY, 



Levuka, January 11, 1890. 



