TOG FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



of which the apex is even with the ground. In regard to manuring 

 and filling the pit, the process is similar in both modes of planting, 

 only the upper part of the smaller cuttings must be covered with about 

 10 centimeters of loose soil. The sprouts from these smaller cuttings 

 are more exposed to damage by frost and by animals than is the case 

 with the plan first described, and the bearing age is also reached some 

 four or five years later, but it is held that the trees raised in that way 

 are more vigorous and productive. 



Other modes of propagation, such as by shoots from the living roots 

 of a dead tree, or by raising stocks from seed upon which to graft later 

 on, are known to give excellent results, and are occasionally practiced; 

 but the vast majority of Spanish growers confine themselves to the two 

 processes here described. 



Cultivation. During the first eight or ten years after planting, the 

 orchard should be plowed three times each year (with a plow making a 

 furrow 10 inches deep), and the soil immediately surrounding the plants 

 hoed three times the first and second year, and later on twice a year. It 

 will frequently happen that plants do not sprout the first year, in which 

 case an extra supply of water and labor should be devoted to such plants 5 

 should they, however, not produce shoots for two complete years, they 

 should be dug up and replaced by others. The distance at which trees 

 should be placed depends primarily upon the variety planted, the rule 

 being to allow an interval equal to twice the height of the full-grown tree. 

 This is the general rule, which must, however, be departed from accord- 

 ing to local circumstances of topography, soil, and climate. Consider- 

 ations in favor of closer planting are that trees closely planted resist 

 both frost and drought better and also cause the soil to retain humidity 

 longer. Against it may be urged that trees lacking ventilation are more 

 liable to the attacks of fungous parasites and noxious insects j nor must 

 it be forgotten that the roots of the olive tree extend horizontally half as 

 far again as the branches do, and, as the diameter of the crown is usually 

 equal to the height of the tree, close planting may stunt root development. 

 The trees may be placed either in squares or on the diamond plan, as de- 

 scribed when treating of orange culture. The most approved way of ma- 

 nuring olive orchards is to dig a small circular ditch around each tree; the 

 manure (which must always be well rotted and rich in phosphates) is 

 placed therein and covered with soil. The diameter of the circle within 

 the ditch must vary according to the size of the tree, the object aimed at 

 being to place the manure within the range of absorption of the outer 

 rootlets. Manuring is usually effected once every three years, and the 

 best time is the fall of the year. Plaster from old walls is a beneficial 

 addition to the stable manure, and may also be spread within the 

 circle surrounding the tree; and calcined bones in moderate quantities 

 are known to incite growth and to greatly increase the yield. Gas- 

 parin states that 100 kilograms of manure produce about 3 kilograms 

 of oil. Hidalgo Tablada, a practical agronomist and recogniwd an- 



