Preparation of t^e ©vround 



CHAPTER VIII. 



"O, dig a liole, and dig it deep." — Old Play. 



The selection of the spot for aii olive orchard having been 

 made, the surface should be cleared of all woody plants and roots, 

 and then plowed as deeply as possible. If the plowing can be done 

 with the first rains, say in November, and the ground left exixised 

 to the elements till planting time comes, which should be after all 

 danger from frost has past, it will receive an atmospheric fertiliza- 

 tion which will be so much gained. But let the plowing be deep, 

 twenty inches if possible, remember that centuries may pass before 

 it can be done again. Any expense incurred in this direction is 

 money Avell laid out, and will pay for itself many times in opening 

 the way for the perfect rooting of the future olive. 



On the other hand, shallow plowing and a dry season might well 

 result in young olives casting their leaves and fruit, from the inijx^s- 

 possibility of the young rootlets penetrating the hard unbroken Si^il. 



The plowing finished, the holes for the trees are next in order, 

 these may be of various shapes, square, rectangular, and lastly the 

 trench. 



Of the holes, the square is the best, and to obtain the very best 

 result should be three feet deep, and three feet wide at the surface. 

 If the ground in question has not at least a yard of soil, the olive 

 will not flourish there, as when the tap root encounters an obstruct- 

 ion it bends up and the lateral roots develope in its place, and as the 

 growth of the tree is always equally proportioned between its I'oot 

 system and its branches, the obstacle encountered by the pivot roots 

 becomes immediately apparent in the appearance of the tree. The 

 stem, which corresponds to this root, ceases to grow with its pre- 

 vious vigor and force. The trunk loses its smooth, ash colored 

 bark, and its base is covered with a variety of protuberances, which 



