33 



after the lapse of (say) the first twelve months, there 

 will always be, under the outside surface of these heaps, 

 a quantity of rich manure, and of a description excellent 

 even for its merely mechanical uses. 



Where the soil is absolutely poor, the trees should 

 be manured every year ; but, otherwise, every second 

 year will be sufficient. Of course, if the orchard has 

 been established in rich alluvial bottoms, or fat loam, 

 and the trees have a tendency to over-luxuriance, 

 manuring, I need hardly say, is not only not wanted, 

 but would be wasteful, and inimical to productiveness. 



In applying manure, if it be in fit condition, it is 

 most profitable to dig it in just before the rainy season ; 

 as, by doing this, the tree at once receives the full 

 benefit of the dressing. 



31ulcliing, especially while young, will be found as 

 useful an adjunct to the cultivation of the Olive, as it is 

 with other trees in our hot dry climate. Its effect is 

 principally mechanical in retaining moisture, and in 

 keeping the surface of the soil, about the roots of the 

 tree, cool. Long manure — grass, straw, or any such 

 substance — will answer the purpose ; but it is as well to 

 select something which will gradually decay, and when 

 dug in will act as a fertilizer. Care should, however, be 

 taken that the material selected be free from seeds, or it 

 will involve additional labor with the hoe. 



Pruning judiciously is of great importance, as the 

 Olive has the character of only bearing every other year. 

 The fruit is produced on the young shoots of the pre- 

 ceding year ; and, in pruning, the object to attain is to 

 secure a regular distribution of wood of the previous 

 year from the axils of the leaves. In poor soil, where the 

 trees would have a struggle to produce both fruit, and 

 young shoots for next year's harvest, pruning is especially 

 necessary ; and I am disposed to think that, in our genial 

 climate, plantations skilfully managed ought to bear, 

 with fair certainty, a regular annual crop. Some 

 authorities consider that pruning once in three years is 

 sufficient ; but this phase of the cultivation of the Olive 



