58 



Redding Picholine (Cal.). 



(Figures Nos. 16, 17, and 18, Plate XL) 



This little olive was introduced into this State several years ago ; it is a 

 tree of small dimensious; fruit small, of a deep blue-black color; the fruit 

 is gathered on cloths, being stripped from the limb with a hand wooden 

 comb. The fruit makes good oil and a sweet pickle, but the tree is best 

 suited as a stock. The true name of this olive is unknown. I also fail 

 to find it described in any book on the olive ; possibly in its native country 

 it grows to better proportions than here. It does not belong to the Picho- 

 line type. 



Mission. 



(Figures Nos. 19 and 20, Plate XL) 



This tree is of good production, and of very large dimensions; fruit varies 

 in form; several types have been observed on trees; this is somewhat pe- 

 culiar, as among other varieties this does not occur. The fruit hangs on 

 the branches singly, in twos, threes, and also in clusters; color, deep purple 

 changing to jet black. It carries on its surface numerous white specks, 

 but gradually they nearly disappear upon ripening; a free stone; ripens 

 late. 



OBSERVATIONS. 



There are several "types" of what is known to be the "Mission" olive. 

 Different types are found in almost every old orchard in the State. At the 

 Mission San Jose, Mr. J. Rock and I discovered seven types in the Mission 

 Orchard. Some are early, and some late. Some are long and pointed, 

 while others are round. At this place we discovered a tree that is different 

 from any I have seen. That tree is over a hundred years old, and its 

 branches were heavily laden with very large berries. The fruit is of extra 

 large size, and very early. At the time we visited the place (November 

 fifteenth) no green fruit could be seen on that tree. The habit of this tree 

 is also different from any other Mission tree. It has a weeping habit, 

 resembling a willow, having a willow-like leaf. Alongside of this tree 

 were several other trees of the same age. The trunk of one of them meas- 

 ured five feet four and three quarters inches in circumference, at about four 

 feet from the ground. All these trees receive the same care, and are on 

 the same kind of soil. The Mission is a tree of great longevity; and those 

 trees now growing at the various Missions throughout the State, in the 

 prime of health, over a hundred years old, are enough to substantiate this 

 statement; therefore needs no comment. It is a tree that has done ex- 

 ceedingly well in this State, and better when properly cared for, and can 

 be found growing and fruiting in almost every county. I have seen state- 

 ments published, in which the writers contend that this olive is not worth 

 propagating; that it is the wild olive of France. How absurd these state- 

 ments are; and none but the non-informed could give them utterance. 



BUDDING AND GRAFTING — NEW AND IMPROVED METHODS. 



Budding the olive by the ordinary methods is somewhat difficult, and 

 only about 15 to 25 per cent can be made to grow. This, however, is very 

 much overcome by the simple methods herein given. 



