THE OLIVE IN ITALY. G53 



In conclusion a good pruning consists of (a) suppressing all branches 

 tending to grow up straight, as they are very exhaustive ; (b) cutting 

 down all the parts from the plant, all the dead branches as well as 

 those broken by the wind, and those growing longer than others; (c) 

 suppressing all the sprouts developed in the plant during the year, leav- 

 ing only some terminal ones, and some others grown near those having 

 the force to bear. If many new sprouts were left on the branches, 

 the majority of them would fail to bear, because the sap the branches 

 draw could not nourish them all. Pruning in such a manner that the 

 plants would grow in proper form, the branches should be well disposed 

 without confusion, and the lower ones bending down would cover apart 

 of the trunk. Another operation essential for the pruner to know is 

 that if the trunk contains dried bark, knotty and partly detached from 

 the wood, he should cut it off with a well sharpened tool, for the reason 

 that in so doing he cleans the trunk from insects wherein they lay their 

 eggs. Another advice to thepruuer is that, following the years in which 

 the plants bear much fruit, it is always better to shorten them a little, 

 as it is proper to leave others longer, which during the years produced 

 less. 



In conclusion, following the rules above stated, the pruner can be sure 

 of his success, provided, however, he will, with sharp eye, carry them 

 on in accordance with the above instructions, always taking into ac- 

 count the local climate and condition of the soil. These rules and modi- 

 fications are the results of long experience. 



Insect pests. The olive has the most fearful enemies which attack it 

 in every way most terribly; in fact, insects, diseases, and inimical 

 causes, more or less, make a slaughter of it. 



Arrayed in first line are the insect pests attacking the fruit, while 

 others attack the wood and the leaves, thus hurting it in every way. The 

 most terrible is the mosca deW oliro (olive fly), or Daco delle ultic, known 

 as Muxca ole(i\ Dacus olew, Cynips olecv, Stnrnomus keironi. 



The dacus is a small fly, about half the size of our common fly, and 

 piecisely as seen, greatly enlarged, in Fig. 27. It is an insect with 

 mange yellowish colored head, green eyes, yellow breast, with two 

 black points. The female Dacus has on the extremity of its abdomen 

 a sheath of black color, wherefroin it throws an arrow, piercing the 

 fruit, wherein it deposits its eggs. This insect is so pernicious to the 

 olive culture as to shorten two crops out of three. It works as fol- 

 lows: 



As soon as the olives are formed the female Dacus throws its arrow, 

 pierces the olive skin, shakes its wings, and into the pulp lays one egg, 

 (Fig. 28). This done, the insect takes rest by cleaning its body as a 

 sign of satisfaction, and then Hies away to other olives to perform the 

 same operation until it deposits from 300 to 400 euu\s into as many olives. 

 From the egg, in a short time, you see a certain soft whitish larva with- 



