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CHAPTER II. 



VARIETIES. 



As far back as Pliny's time it was held that different soils 

 suited different varieties of the Olive, and this opinion 

 has been more or less entertained to the present day. 

 In selecting varieties for planting, we may concede to 

 climate an influence certainly not less important. A 

 mere list of varieties would be neither interesting nor 

 useful, especially as, like many other trees with numerous 

 varieties, there is some confusion of nomenclature. 



After a careful comparison of the lists given by 

 different authorities to whom I have referred, I believe 

 that the end in view will be best served by quoting 

 the selection made by Mr. Davenport, for the purpose 

 of his paper read before the Chamber of Manufactures 

 at Adelaide in July, 1870 : — 



" Of the departments of Var and the Alpes-Mari- 

 " times, the neighborhoods of Grasse and Cannes give 

 cc preference to a variety, variously called the c Caillet,' 

 " c Cayou,' 6 Olivier de Grasse,' 5 Olivier Pleureur,' from 

 " the gracefully weeping aspect of the tree. This grows 

 " best in strong soils. It needs air and sun to fructify 

 " its flowers. To secure all the oil, its fruit should not 

 " be gathered until quite black. 



" 2. The £ Blanquette.' This grows best in dry 

 " grounds. Its fruit is round, little colored when ripe. 

 " Its leaves are shorter and less drooping than those of 

 " the Caillet. Its oil is sweeter, whiter, and more deli- 

 " cate ; but keeps badly. It is chiefly grown about 

 " Antibes, under the name of Blanquetier. 



"3. The 'Boubeirou' variety grows tall, and has 

 " few branches. Its leaves are rounded. Its fruit is 

 " oval and small, and yielding little oil, but of a charac- 

 " ter superior to any other. 



