THE OLIVE tN NICE. 635 



Ions; for the gathering of each double decaliter 77 cents is paid ; one- 

 half of this expense for the 150 trees equals $17.37. The entire ex- 

 pense per hectare thus equals $65.62. 



One hectare of olive trees under good conditions produces every two 

 years 450 double decaliters of olives, which, at the normal price of 3 

 francs each (58 cents), are of the value of $260.35. One half of said 

 sum being regarded as the product of one year, the proprietor thus ob- 

 tains 675 francs, equal to $130.17 from each hectare. Deducting the 

 above expenses therefrom leaves him a net profit of $64.65 per hectare. 

 On slopes, with 200 trees per hectare, $90.44 of value would be the 

 annual product. An average of $77.55 is the net profit annually per 

 hectare for both locations. Thus, the 46,850 hectares of olive lauds in 

 this department, of which about 31,000, it is calculated, are planted in 

 slopes, may produce the important sum of $3,830,000 yearly. 



Among the principal oil merchants at Nice are " Socie*t6 des huiles 

 d'olive," Stable & Cie., and Joseph Mayrarque. Prices for table oil 

 range from 2.50 francs to 1.90 francs, and illuminating oil from 1.10 

 francs to .80 francs per liter (2.113 pints.) 



Cultivation. The "Oleaster" (wild olive) and "OleaEuropaea" (com- 

 mon olive) grow without cultivation, but the quantity and quality of 

 their fruits are to a great extent the result of care and labor. When 

 totally neglected the tree does not entirely fail, but, like the vine un- 

 der the same conditions, brings some small profit to the owner, but the 

 product always increases in proportion to the amount expended in its 

 judicious care. 



One of the primary essentials, as considered by the best cultivators 

 here, is that the ground under its shadow be plowed, dug, or otherwise 

 loosened thrice every year, great care being taken lest the roots are 

 wounded. A breaking of the soil to a depth of ten inches is thought 

 sufficient. On the plains they use the plow, but upon the declivities 

 the spade only is practicable. 



Soil. It is generally allowed that a soil in which more or less lime, 

 alumina, magnesia, silica, and some alkaline salts exist is especially 

 favorable to this tree. Volcanic soils are also considered excellent, but 

 neither of the above, though preferable here, excludes all other soils, 

 except those which are mortal to the olive, viz, fat and very moist lands 

 and sandy and very dry ones. Excessive moisture and excessive 

 dry ness are its enemies. Soils entirely of clay or sand are ex- 

 cluded from its culture, but the sandy clayey ones, the calcareous, 

 the rocky or pebble-covered, and even the calcareous rocks themselves, 

 where the roots can penetrate between them and find water to suc- 

 cessfully nourish the tree are adapted to its culture. A soil not too 

 dry, the bottom of which is gravel, provided clay is found over it mixed 

 with sand, is preferable. A clayey soil is bad on account of the moisture 

 with which it is filled in winter, and which causes the roots to decay. 



Situation. The proper situation of the tree is a question simply of 

 temperature. Much attention must be directed in various ways to sit- 



