688 FRUIT CULTURE IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



OlIVKH and oMVK TUKKrf. 



Olive trees :iie adapted to few countries, being so delicate that they 

 can thrive under the influence of a mild temperature only. Cold winds 

 and a soil too fresh or too dry are equally unfavorable to their produc- 

 tiveness. Therefore, on the Mediterranean coasts, and nominally in Italy, 

 it seems that olive trees meet with most of the conditions favorable to 

 their development. Olive trees in a favorable climate and soil grow 

 quickly, and are both strong and leafy. ' 



In Tuscany the diameter of the trunk measurcvS from 0.25 meters to 

 0.30 and 0.42 meters (9J inches, llj inches, 1 foot 4J inches). The or- 

 dinary height of the tree when fully developed is from 5 to 7 meters 

 (16 feet to 22 feet 7 inches), and the maximum and exceptionul height 

 is from 8 to 12 meters (25J feet to 38 feet). 



It is difficult to state the length of life and productiveness of olive 

 trees. In the most favorable countries, however, they remain fruitful 

 during two hundred or three hundred years, and if alter this term of 

 life they do not bear, young shoots are produced by them which become 

 fruitful, so that actually, when properly tended, they may be said never 

 to die. 



Among the olive trees tlie following are the hclter known in Tuscany: 



Infrantoio (fit for the press), one of the most delicate and very sus- 

 ceptible to cold. 



OUnastro (dark brown olive), found on the hills ; hardy, but not very 

 productive. 



Moraiolo (resembling the mulberry )j hardy, ripening early, and fairly 

 prodnctive. 



Razzo or Grofisaio (large and lucent), much appreciated for the abun- 

 dance <and size of its olives and the good quality of its oil. 



Coreggiolo (resembling the crucible from its lowering branches), sus- 

 ceptible to cold weather, and consequently not adapted to high localities, 

 l)ut still growing with northern expossure. 



Gremifinoh (a coarse description of olive), ripening' in Mareli or April, 

 and found in the Pisan Mountains. 



Lcccino (iiolm-oak), coarser, but very hardy, and not susceptible to 

 cold. 



Quercetano (resembling the oak), deriving its name from (Juerceta, a 

 small place in the Lucchese, where it is largly cultivated, owing to its 

 strong constitution and resistance to sea winds. 



Indolcitoio (tendc^r and sweet), whose fruit, larger than otlier vnrie- 

 ties, but with little oil, is eaten fresh after having been lor some time 

 well soaked. 



Tiie varieties mostly used in Tnsc;iiiy aie the — 



Infrantoio, with favorable exposure, and the Moraiolo elsewhere. The 

 hifrnntoio grows well in sheltered places and on hillocks. This plant 

 is very susceptible to exposure to or changes of weather. The Moraiolo, 

 cultixated III a meager and ;iri(l soil, is v(>r\ hardy and li(>:ns well. 



