674 FEUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



NAPLES. 

 REPORT BY OONSTTL OAMFHATTSEN. 



YarieUes.—Thc> name of best variety for pickfed olives is the Audria 

 or Gaeta olives, aud for oil the Eitordella. The other choice varieties 

 for pickles (eatiug) and oil, worthy of culture and for profit, are the 

 Oorregioleand Panzione (for oil), also MorrajoleandEazze; buttheEmo- 

 paca olive is cultivated ia preference in the province of Naples. 



The trees are grown in the provinces of Bari, Salerno, and Naples, and 

 are distant from the sea 1,500 feet, and from 90 feet above sea-level to 

 the tops of the hills, with southern exposure. 



The trees grow on hilly, rolling, or level land, but hilly is the best, 

 with fresh, rich soil without clay. 



Climatic influences. — The same as stated in answer to question No. 5, 

 under the head of lemons, oranges, and figs. 



Irrigation is not practiced. 



Cultivation. — Every year by working the soil and using barn-yard 

 manures aud refuse collected in the streets of the cities. 



Pruning.— Dnving the usual time, as in other countries, and by re- 

 moving the suckers whenever necessary. 



Picking and curing. — From November to February. They are picked/ 

 by hand or beaten down. The middle of October is the time to gather 

 those for pickling or eating. The fruit for oil is collected at any time 

 after November. After picking, the fruit is mashed into a paste and 

 pressed under a hydraulic press and the oil extracted. The pickling is 

 done in the simplest and usual way, similar to pickling cucumbers, etc., 

 in the United States. Before they are put in brine the olives are soaked 

 for a day or two in a weak solution of potash and then for a couple of 

 hours in fresh water. 



Maturity. — The trees mature at the age of five years. 



Yield. — Trees average 20 quarts of oil or 45 pounds of fruit per year. 



Planting and propagating. — Trees are planted from 35 to 40 feet apart, 

 and propagated by seed, sprout, or graft. 



Publications. — I have no knowledge of any statistics issued by the 

 Italian Government on this subject. The best information on this sub- 

 ject is to be obtained from or through the United States legation, or the 

 United States consulate-general at Rome, Publications, scientific re- 

 ports, etc., on this matter are published in the different cities of Italy, 

 and articles are quite frequently found in the daily papers. 



Insect pests. — The kermes injures the tree, and is destroyed by cutting 

 of the bark whert", it nestles, saturating the place with a solution of lime. 

 When the oil-fly makes its appearance the olives are gathered with the 

 utmost diligence and made into oil to prevent the propagation of the 

 insect. 



Edward Camphausen, 



United States Oonsulatb, CoumiI. 



Naples, January 31, 1890. 



