34 



in Queensland will be better understood after a few years' 

 experience of the effects of the climate. By the old 

 method of leaving the tree to attain its full growth, any 

 considerable crop was not obtained for many years ; and 

 hence the character of the Olive for tardy productiveness. 

 Under the present system, however, of cultivating com- 

 paratively dwarf trees, abundant crops are afforded in 

 three or four years. Under the head of cc Harvesting ," 

 I shall have occasion to remark further upon the advan- 

 tages of judicious pruning, and the cultivation of small 

 growing varieties. A clear, straight stem, of five or six 

 feet should be kept. Not only is the growth thus made 

 handsomer, but the tree is more vigorous and strong to 

 resist wind, and the fruit is sufficiently remote from 

 reflected heat, and consequent premature ripening. 



The distance apart for planting the trees must be 

 determined partly by variety and partly by soil and 

 aspect. Under the old system, which was content 

 with a biennial crop and left the trees to grow much as 

 they pleased, a distance of thirty up to as much as 

 forty feet was necessary. But of late years, the propa- 

 gation of new and highly productive varieties, and the 

 adoption of a system of pruning the trees to such limits 

 as will render the gathering of the fruit, by hand, com- 

 paratively easy, has enabled cultivators to bring their 

 trees closer together, and thus to economise space and 

 consolidate their operations. Orchards are now planted 

 at distances from sixteen feet up to a maximum of thirty 

 feet, according to variety; the distance being further 

 regulated by the quality of the soil. 



While I must guard my readers against the false 

 economy of overcrowding, the Tables given in Appendix 

 V. will shew the number of trees which can be grown 

 per acre at 16, 20, 30, and 40 feet apart respectively. 

 Erom these tables will be seen exactly the area of 

 land which is saved by allowing no more room to each 

 variety than is absolutely necessary for the healthy de- 

 velopment of the trees. 



But at whatever distance apart — all considerations 



