22 



With this, however, I shall deal elsewhere. In South 

 Australia " she-oak " soil it is thought would he good 

 for Olives, hut I am unahle to say if this has heen tested. 

 It is, however, found that any good vine soil is also 

 good OKve soil. 



In recommending dry soils, I have of course implied 

 that they must he well drained. If nature has not 

 already done this, no pains must he spared to secure the 

 result hy artificial means The Olive will not thrive in 

 ill- drained situations ; and nothing hut disappointment 

 can result from carelessness of this condition. Nor does 

 it like clays, even if drained. Eor successful cultivation, 

 the soil must he loose and permeable ; and, as a general 

 rule, the deeper the better. 



Although excess of moisture is one of the enemies 

 of the Olive tree, it must not he supposed that 

 dryness of the soil in immediate contact with the roots 

 is desirable. A certain amount of moisture is very 

 necessary to maintain the health of the tree and for the 

 formation and maturing of the fruit ; and this affords 

 the principal reason why deep cultivation is desirable 

 when it can be obtained. Where, however, this is 

 impracticable, mulching the surface of the soil, and 

 occasional waterings (especially during the first two or 

 three years) in very dry weather should be resorted to. 



The sunny slopes of hills are stated by authorities 

 on the other side of the world to be best suited to the 

 natural habit of the tree ; but, for the reason which I 

 have before given, in Queensland it is the morning rays 

 which should be courted and not the fiercer ones of 

 noon. Such situations would possess the additional 

 advantage of protection from the westerly winds of 

 winter, which, though not too cold, are sometimes very 

 boisterous. 



