THK 01.1Y1-: IX ITALY. 



661 



ITALY. 



If !:!'('. I!'!' n\ CONSUL CJtAIN, OF MILAN. 

 | Repnbliahed from Consular Keports, No. 41^.J 



The superficies devoted to olive culture in Italy is approximately 

 900,311 hectares (equal to U,M,()(>S acres), and the total production of 

 olive oil about 3,385,591 hectoliters (or 89,437,157 gallons), distributed 

 as follows : 



The reports of the Italian minister of agriculture contain much that 

 is interesting in regard to this industry. 



The olive is indigenous to Asia. It is mentioned in Genesis, Hesiod, 

 and Homer, but was not introduced into Europe, according to Pliny, 

 until the two hundredth year of Rome. It is hardy, and grows wild in 

 southern Europe Liunseus calls it Olea Europcea, as if indigenous to 

 Europe. It is cultivated in Spain, Greece, Italy, Languedoc, and Prov- 

 ence. The forty-fifth degree of latitude is considered the northern limit 

 of culture. Great heat or cold is unfavorable to the plant. It is not 

 found in Africa far from the Atlantic; and Humboldt noticed in various 

 parts of St. Domingo and South America that it grew there without 

 bearing fruit. It has been erroneously claimed that the olive would 

 only grow near the sea. It is found at great distances inland, but 

 abounds most near the coast, where the temperature is more congenial. 

 The variation of altitude at which the plant can thrive depends upon 

 the region. In central Italy the greater part of the olive zone is below 

 an elevation of 500 meters, and in Sicily below one of 600, while in the 

 basins of the lakes of Garda and Iseo 450 meters is the extreme limit. 

 At this extrenfe limit the cultivation is unprofitable, as the fruit often 

 fails to mature. The plant requires a soft and temperate climate. In 

 districts where the temperature is higher than required by the plant it 

 is cultivated by preference on elevated lands ; in those where the tem- 

 perature is low it is given a warm position. The north wind is the 

 enemy of the olive, In the same region it flourishes on high lands pro- 



