KIPENING AND PICKLING OF CALIFORNIA OLIVES. 3 



more rounded on the outer end, and with little indication of a point ; 

 pit straight, shorter than the Mission, and with the greatest diameter 

 nearer the apex, often with a short, sharp point at the apex. 

 (PL II.) 



Ascolano. — This is a very large olive, twelve-sixteenths to eigh- 

 teen-sixteenths inch in diameter ; shape a rounded oval with some in- 

 dication of a point, resembling an exaggerated Manzanillo ; very soft 

 and tender when ripe; pit with a short, sharp point at the apex. 

 (PI. III.) 



Sevillano. — This is also a very large fruit, the largest of the Span- 

 ish varieties, and supposed to represent the one exported from Spain 

 as "Queen" olives, from fourteen- .sixteenths to eighteen-sixteenths 

 inch in diameter; shape ovate, oblique, resembling a large Mission; 

 very soft and tender when ripe ; pit pointed and exceedingly rough, 

 and sometimes with very sharp-pointed projections along its sides. 

 (PI. IV.) 



Nevadillo Blanco. — This variety is small to medium in size, from 

 eight-sixteenths to eleven-sixteenths inch in diameter ; relatively long 

 compared to diameter ; pit comparatively large, quite curved, distinct 

 veins on surface, and with a short, sharp point at apex. 



The size statements in these descriptions refer only to the average 

 run on the tree. Commercially all olives are separated into grades 

 of different sizes. 



OLIVE-PICKING SEASON. 



The picking season for the olive varies greatly. It is influenced 

 somewhat by variety, but more by locality. In the warm inland val- 

 ley of the northern district the fruit matures earlier than in the 

 southern portion of the State. The Manzanillo matures somewhat 

 earlier than the Mission. In Butte County, in the northern district, 

 Manzanillos are often picked about the middle of October, Missions 

 late in October or about the first of November, and all varieties arc 

 gathered by January 1. In fact, there is danger from frost during 

 December. In the southern district Manzanillos may be picked about 

 November 1 and Missions about November 10. Ascolanos are picked 

 about November 1. All olives are off the trees by February 1 to 15. 

 In some exposed places nearer the coast the seasons may be still later. 



CHANGES IN COMPOSITION DURING RIPENING. 



Any study of the ripening of the olive must be preceded by a con- 

 sideration of its constituents. The following are known or have 

 been reported:^ Fixed oil, protein, mineral matter, mannit (in the 

 immature fruit only), an oxidizing enzyme acting on the oil, the 

 enzyme emulsine and a glucoside " oleuropein," wax, reducing 

 sugar probably dextrose.^ De Luca ^ and others ^ claim to have iso- 



1 C. Wehmer. Die Pflanzenstoffe, p. 600. Jena, 1911. 



2 Arch. Pharm. (1902), vol. 240, p. 475. 



3 Rend, accad. sci. Napoli (1865), p. 79. 



