253 
The varieties, which are very numerous: but badly, or not 
at all, selected, are to be replaced by well chosen and well 
acclimatized varieties. Thus, in place of trees of small size, 
stunted, and covered with mosses, we shall have young olive 
trees of large yield, which owing to the height of the stems will 
allow of easy remunerative intercalary cultivation. 
Harvesting by knocking down the fruit, which destroys the 
trees, is to be replaced by hand-picking, which, though it 
necessitates a little.more labour, does not prejudice the suc- 
ceeding crops. 
Finally, the processes of extraction of the oil by the native 
method must: be completely rejected. Inadequate crushing 
leaves too much oil in the cake. 
The cultivation of the olive tree is, however, in process of 
improvement, at least in the northern region, thanks to the 
action of the Government and of the large agricultural 
societies. In addition, the chief district officers, who are both 
soldiers and agriculturists, teach the Arabs good methods of 
pruning and working. Progress has already been made, but 
there is still a long road to traverse in order to bring Tunis 
to the high position it occupied in Northern Africa under the 
Roman occupation. This revival, already commenced, is 
greatly to the honour of the authorities of the Protectorate, 
who certainly will not stop on the way in this work of 
civilization and progress. 
RENDEMENT DU PALMIER A HUILE EN BASSE-GUINEE. 
Par L. Nico.as,! 
Sous-Inspecteur ad’ Agriculture, 
[ ABSTRACT. ] 
L’on sait que l’Elaeis guineensis est une des principales 
richesses de la Guinée francaise, et qu’on le rencontre en 
abondance sur toute la cote de cette Colonie. 
Les opérations faites par l’auteur ont porté sur un total de 
590 arbres récoltés d’octobre Ig1r a mai 1912, et dont 
Vhuile, ainsi que les amandes, ont été preparées suivant les 
procédés indigenes. Il ne s’agit donc pas ici de rendements 
ayant toute la précision des recherches de laboratoire; mais 
de rendements pratiques possédant par consequent, dans les 
circonstances actuelles, un trés réel intérét pour l’exploitant, 
+ This note was présented to the Congress by M. Prudhomme, 
directeur du Jardin colonial, on behalf of the author. ay 4 
