20 



STATE BOARD OF HORTICULTURE. 



injured berries is also affected. The theory for many years 

 advanced, to the effect that the olive would grow and produce 

 bountiful crops on soil too poor to grow anything else, or on 

 soil and in locations where other trees would not grow, has 

 been exploded. While the olive does thrive on rugged soils 

 and in locations where other fruit could not be found profitable, 

 it must not be supposed that it does well under neglect or will 

 not repay care. Careful cultivation and proper fertilization 

 are amply rewarded in increased quantity and superior quality 

 of fruit. 



Analyses made of the ashes of the wood, leaves, and fruit of 

 the olive give the following results 



Totals .. 100.00 



100.00 100.00 



It will be seen from this analysis that the wood and leaves 

 carry a very large proportion of lime, while in the berries 

 potash predominates greatly. From this it will naturally be 

 inferred that soil suitable for the olive should be heavily 

 impregnated with these elements, or, being absent, they will 

 have to be supplied. 



The olive will not do well in poorly drained soil, for while 

 it requires a proper amount of moisture, the tree cannot thrive 

 with its roots in standing water. . 



To summarize, the olive will do best in a soft, friable soil, 

 moderately warm and moist, carrying an abundance of lime 

 and potash. These conditions are furnished throughout a 

 greater portion of California, where also can be found the 

 climatic conditions required by it. 



Preparation of the Soil. Thorough preparation of the soil 

 for the olive should be the rule, and it should be borne in mind 

 that, so far as the planting of the orchard is concerned, it 

 is done forever. When the young tree is transferred to the 

 orchard it receives a shock, to recover from which it requires 



