55 



OBSERVATIONS. 



The Pigale is a commendable variety. Granting that its production is 

 somewhat curtailed by its luxuriant growth of wood, the fruits are of good 

 quality and fit for table use, as well as giving a great deal of oil of excel- 

 lent quality. 



The largest plantations of this variety were formerly around Montpellier, 

 Narbonne, and Nimes; some important ones are still found in the garrigues, 

 of the commune of St. Georges, near Montpellier; it is also met with in 

 Provence, especially about Aix. As this olive ripens very late it cannot 

 be gathered only late in winter, when often its surface gets wrinkled on 

 account of the frost. It would be opportune in large plantations to mingle 

 the Pigale with earlier varieties, so as to have ample time for picking. 



OTHER INTRODUCED VARIETIES. 



The main object in describing the varieties herein mentioned is for the 

 purpose of identification, and in order to straighten, if possible, the nomen- 

 clature of the olive, which is a very mixed one. There are varieties now 

 fruiting in this State known only by some of their synonymes. In one case 

 a variety was propagated under three synonymes, and this fact was not, 

 and could not be, discovered until the trees fruited. The fault lies with 

 the nurserymen abroad, where so many names have been given to varieties, 

 and in consequence thereof the identity of a certain variety by its name 

 is very difficult, and is only known by few. 



The following varieties are now fruiting in several parts of this State, 

 and are of the earlier kinds. Other varieties and the late ones will be 

 described, with general observations thereto, is a subsequent article. 



Pendoulier. 



(Figure No. 8, Plate VI.) 



At the last meeting of the State Board of Horticulture (July 2, 1888,) I 

 reported this variety as being somewhat smaller than the Mission. This 

 was due to the fact that the trees from which the specimens were taken, 

 and from which the cuts were made, had not been cultivated or pruned for 

 five years. 



Tree, is a beautiful one, of a vigorous growth, and of large dimensions; 

 branches, drooping (weeping) in character; color, of wood-light green, with 

 smooth, clear surface; it is a tree of very good production. 



Fruit, large, generally accumulating singly in opposite directions, also by 

 twos on the fruit stem; length, one and one eighth inches; width, three 

 fourths; color, wine red, changing to deep blue-black; has on the surface 

 a number of very small white specks, which are quite visible, but very 

 minute. 



Pit {kernel), three quarters of an inch long, tapering at the upper end, 

 broad at center, with a curve commencing about the center down to the 

 point. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



At Vacaville this variety is growing in the orchard of Mr. A. Montpellier. 

 Mr. Montpellier imported his trees from Italy in 1885. They have been 

 planted three years; one of the trees bore fruit for the first time last year. 



