32 



THE OLIVE 



top is inclined to grow high. So it requires energetic pruning to 

 keep it down to a convenient height, The tree is not so large as 

 the Morajolo. The leaves are whiter on the lower side, broadened 

 from the middle upwards and very pointed. It flowers generally 

 on the twigs that have filled out a year and are entering into a 

 second year; quite contrary to the Morajolo and other varieties, 

 which bud on wood which is two years old and is entering on a 

 third. For this reason it flowers so abundantly, that it is a matter 

 of doubt whether its name comes from this rich budding or the 

 smallness of the fruit. From its facility in buckling and retaining 

 its fruit, it produces olives every year. They are round, and rather 

 lacking in flesh aild oil, and for size take a position between the 

 Razzo and wild olive. It begins to mature in December, turning a 

 wine red color. This olive best resists salt wind, dampness and fog. 



The Leccino or Leccio. {See Plate VII.) 



In appearance this variety most resembles the wild olive. The 

 Leccino is mentioned by all the ancient Latin authors on the sub- 

 ject of the olive, and is the oldest variety that we are able to recog- 

 nize. Its twigs are very robust, rigid and very long, and not at all 

 ramified, The angle of insertion being about eighty degrees, 

 hence the top is little united, and bends over much like a willow 

 tree; therefore its name Leccio (Quercus Ilex). It is strong to 

 resist wind and cold and the alternations of freezing and thawing. 

 This was proved in the winter of 1871-72, when many E.azzo, 

 Grossajo, Marajolo, and even Mignolo, perished; while the Leccino 

 resisted even a temperature of twelve degrees F. The Leccino 

 leaves are very much broadened in the middle, and are obtuse and 

 sharp pointed, the lower side being pale, as in the Mignolo. It 

 flowers richly, and because of its rusticity holds firmly on to its 

 fruit, and carries it to maturity in bunches of two, three, four and 

 even five berries. It is very persistent to the peduncle, which is 

 sometimes leaved as in the wild olive. 



