680 FEUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



days, tbe water being changed four or five times per day, and when 

 they have lost all bitterness placed in a vessel (earthen jars are usg'd 

 here) tilled with brine, care being taken that they are immersed, after 

 which they are ready for use in sixty days, and will keep for a year 

 or more. 



Another method consists in steeping the olives in lye until the pulp 

 is penetrated; then, having ascertained by taste that thej' have lost 

 their bitterness, they are immersed in water, as before, renewed two 

 or three times per day for four or five days, or until all disagreeable 

 flavor has disappeared. This done, they are immersed in brine, to 

 which may be added, according to taste, some odoriferous herb, as 

 fennel. Cloves and cinnamon are also used. 



Maturity. — The trees commence fruiting at from six to eight years 

 of age. 



Yield. — From experiments made in Sicily it has been ascertained 

 that a mature tree yields 8.50 kilograms, and a hectare (about 2J acres) 

 of land, in perfect condition, 850 kilograms of oil per annum, from which 

 it has been concluded that an olive grove in Sicily of the extent of 1 

 hectare will, as a rule produce an average quantity of oil of from 6i^ 

 to 734 kilograms per annum. 



Planting and propagating. — This depends on the soil and its forma- 

 tion. In Sicily they are planted from 20 to 40 feet apart, the closest 

 being on side hills and poor land, and the farthest apart in rich val- 

 leys. Prom seed and by grafting. Trees dying, renew themselves 

 from the root. 



Successful cultivation. — The importance of avoiding all exposed locali- 

 ties in planting olive groves is enjoined upon them. As, for instance, 

 when the trees would be exposed to the cold winds from snow-covered 

 mountains, the hot dry blasts from tbe deserts of Arizona or New 

 Mexico and strong sea winds laden with salt. It would also be wise to 

 plant different varieties of trees until those best suited to special locali- 

 ties can be ascertained. 



No doubt is entertained that in the sheltered valleys of California, as 

 well as on the favorably exposed foot-hills and along tbe southern 

 coast thereof, the olive would do well and prove a profitable source of 

 revenue. 



Insect pests. — These are very numerous, and commit t;reat havoc. As 

 there is a whole library of books on the subject, it is impossible in a 

 report of this kind to give any summary that would be of value. 



Philip Carroll, 



Consul. 



United States Consulate, 



Palermo, March 7, 1890. 



