38 



method. The Olive groves there are in common, without 

 fences of any kind, being everybody's property and 

 nobody's property. Proclamation is made by the 

 Governor of the district that the shaking time has 

 arrived, when the whole population — men, women, and 

 children — gather for the purpose, and the rule appears 

 to be everyone for himself. {See Appendix IV.) 



A good method of ascertaining if the fruit is fit for 

 gathering is to apply a slight pressure with the finger 

 and thumb; when, if oil exudes, the Olives are con- 

 sidered fit for the press. 



The largest fruit is the Spanish ; but the Olives of 

 Andalusia are said to surpass, both in size and quality, 

 those of other Spanish provinces. 



The harvest extends over six weeks or two months ; 

 and as the fruit matures and is gathered it should be laid 

 on shelves so as slightly to dry. Contact will do no harm 

 so long as it does not bring about actual heating ; as ex- 

 cessive fermentation results in inferiority of quality of 

 oil. This part of the subject will, however, be dealt with 

 more at length elsewhere. 



