THE OLIVE OO 



and which had been used to in^oteet the tree from riibbiuo: a^rainst 

 the stake to which it was tied. 



The proper season to dress tlie olive, varies according to tlie cli- 

 mate, the soil, and yiekl of the plant. In a mild climate, however, 

 the dressing may be ap})Iied in antnmn and winter, whilst in more 

 northern regions, it would be best oiveu after all danwr of freezino- 

 was past. The ohve may be dressed in two ways — If the compost 

 be plentiful, and the trees near together, it shoukl be applied by 

 scattering it about the orchard, and afterwards turnino; it under with 

 a spade, a hoe, or plough; or, it should be done bv dio-oino- holes 

 about the tree, in a radius of from two and a half, to four and a half 

 or six feet, according to the age and size of the tree. These holes 

 should be from twelve, to sixteen inches deep, and should be dug 

 some weeks before the dressing is applied, in order that the soil 

 about the roots mav be fullv aired. 



In localities where compost is scarce, it is well to alternate fertiliz- 

 ation by })lowing under hipins, beans or other vegetable ]natter of 

 easy growth. If the dressino- of the soil is done bienniallv, one 

 half of the ground could be plowed under as stated. If triennial- 

 ly, the plowing under could follow, and a third of the ])lantation be 

 l)lainly worked. If quadrennially, the surface should 1)e divided 

 in four sections, of which the first should be inanured, the second 

 worked, the third plowed undc]-, and the fourth worked. 



The nature of the fertilization that is necessarv, cannot be exactlv 

 determined by the ashes of the wood alone, as the pi-oportions of 

 these may vary from a multiplicity of circumstances. The surest 

 test for the fertilization, is the knoAvledge of the loss to which the 

 tree has been subjected in fruit, leaves, and wood ; and the object 

 should be to restore to the soil that which has been taken from it in 

 producing these. No manure should be ai)i)lied till it is thoroudilv 

 fermented. To throw unfei'mented, or indeed any manure, close u]) 

 against the trunk of the tree, is to do harm instead of good. With 

 the rain fermentation starts again, and the heat generated is preju- 



