6 THE OLIVE. 



During his absence in Europe, covering a period of four years, 

 I took a general direction of the place and my interest in the noble 

 tree has ever increased, as my acquaintance with it grew more in- 

 timate, although I have no investment in orchard or nursery. My 

 only object in issuing this treatise is to add my mite to the general 

 fund of information on this most important subject. 



After reading your pamphlet and your numerous contribu- 

 tions to the transient agricultural literature of the State, my ac- 

 quaintance with the Spanish language led me to study the writers 

 in that tongue, and besides some short articles in English (Califor- 

 nian and Australian) I have had the advantage, through the kind- 

 ness of my friend in translating, of the valuable information 

 contained in the monograph of Professor Caruso of Pisa, the work 

 of Signor Guilio Cappi, and the Manual of Signor Raffaello Pecori 

 of Florence, the leading olive nurseryman of Italy. 



This last work is as yet unpublished, but Signor Pecori has 

 been so kind as to furnish Mr. Goodrich with a copy of his manu- 

 script and accord permission to make use of it in the preparation 

 of this work. 



Climate and race differences will doubtless lead our culture to 

 vary widely from the European, but the experience of so many 

 centuries will hardly fail to be of some value to the American olive 

 farmer. 



I give below the authors consulted, and should add that I 

 have gained many valuable practical ideas from the late exper- 

 ienced and courteous foreman of the Quito Farm, Signor Ludovico 

 Gaddi, a native of the Province of Lucca and one, as the Italians 

 say, "born under the olive." 



Let us hope that this tree may soon fill the important place in 



