©Jertifizcrfjon 



chapter v. 



" Quite opposite to these are olives found, 

 No dressing they require and dread no wound ; 

 No rakes nor harrows need, but fixed below, 

 Rejoice in open air, and unconcern'dly grow. 

 The soil itself due nourishment supplies ; 

 Plough but the furrows and the fruits arise, 

 Content with small endeavors, till they spring, 

 Soft peace they figu re and sweet plenty bring. 

 Men olives plant, and hymns to Pallas sing." 



Virgil, Georgics II, 586. 



So says Virgil, seemingly indicating that the soil of Italy at that 

 time was richer and stronger than at present., for later experience 

 has overwhelmingly demonstrated that fertilization is indispensable 

 to the olive. 



The analysis of the wood, leaves, and fruit of the olive, given in 

 the preceding chapter, is equally applicable when considering the 

 proper methods of fertilization. Lime for wood and leaves, and 

 potash for the berry, seems to be the lesson it teaches. 



It is no more possible in olive cultivation, than in the growing of 

 any other vegetable, to year after year draw certain ingredients from 

 the soil, without ever returning them again, and expect the trees to 

 keep on giving fruit without receiving the nutriment they crave. 



Fertilization is indispensable to maintain the olive in a prosper- 

 ous and fruitful condition. In rich soils it may for a certain time 

 be omitted, but a continued neglect will diminish the productiveness; 

 and fructification will become infrequent and unremunerative, in 

 places where the tree is seldom or never fertilized. The lack of 



