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Propagation by Uovoli. — This method of increasing 

 good varieties of the Olive is both curious and interesting. 

 The word is Italian, and means literally, " little eggs." 

 These are small knots or excrescences which form, often 

 in some numbers, on the bark, especially of the upper 

 roots. They are easily detached with a sharp penknife ; 

 but care must be taken not to injure the tree. This 

 should be at least ten years old, both because before that 

 age it is not worth while examining for uovoli, and 

 .because the tree should be mature, deep-rooted, and 

 strong before such liberties are taken with its bark. 

 When removed, they are planted like bulbs ; and, by 

 much the same process of nature as in the case of the 

 propagation of the vine and the potato by eyes, in due 

 course become young trees. These uovoli are, in fact, 

 embryo buds, or what are technically known as knaurs 

 (see illustration B, * 'Knaurs or Embryo Buds"), the 

 theory of which is that they have been adventitious 

 buds, which, by pressure of the surrounding growth of 

 bark, have been forced into woody excrescences. 



