930 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



of olives, from 3.50 to 5 francs for 20 liters (a double decaliter) ; of oil, 

 from I to 2.50 francs per liter. The average product of one tree, then, 

 will be, biennially, in fruit, from 8 to 10 francs j in oil, from 10 to 15 

 francs. 



The cost of cultivation is slight ; manure every two years and prun- 

 ing every four. The cost of harvesting is also slight ; whip oft' the olives 

 and gather them up. If this could be done and completed in one opera- 

 tion the cost would be much reduced. But the whole cost may be esti- 

 mated at from 4 to 5 francs per tree biennially, 2 to 2J francs annually. 

 This applied to 40 or 50 trees will make the cost at from 80 to 100 francs 

 per acre. Stretched out, as it is, over a long period of time, it cannot 

 all be done by the peasant with his regular force, and is not, as in our 

 American harvests, forced into a few weeks, requiring a large increase 

 of help, and, consequently, of expense. So the profit on each tree may 

 be estimated at 4 to 8 francs, or possibly 10, each two years. This would 

 give from $20 to $40 per acre per year. 



NO MORE OLIVE-TREE PLANTING. 



I am informed, however, that the cultivation of olives is falling into 

 desuetude. 



Flowers pay better than fruit. Olive trees are not being cut down 

 or destroyed for the purpose of changing, but when destroyed they are 

 not again planted. The planting of olives here is to be likened to plant- 

 ing forest trees in the United States ; and though by every method of 

 figuring it would pay, yet the benefits are postponed for so long time 

 that no one does it. 



This is all made apparent when one considers that the olive does not 

 arrive at maturity for thirty to fifty years, a longer period than the 

 average life of the man who plants it, and that it does not even com- 

 mence bearing until ten years- old. 



So the planting of an olive tree is, or may be, regarded as work done 

 for posterity. 



ORANGES AND LEMONS. 



The orange flourishes better at Nice than at Meutone, but it is the 

 reverse with the lemon. Men tone is slightly warmer and mtore shel- 

 tered. 



VARIETIES AND VALUE. 



At what age do they come into fall bearing and how long do they 

 remain fruitful I 



There are the sweet and the sour or bitter oranges. They cultivate 

 fourteen different varieties Le Portugal or Bergamottc, Le Chinois, Le 

 Mandarin. The lemon has also its varieties. 



The sweet orange and the mandarin are the most esteemed and the 

 most cultivated. They furnish the fruits for the market and for com- 

 merce. 



