76 



THE OLIVE 



The earlier the olive buds, the earlier it flowers, the quicker the 

 olives grow fat, the better they encounter the inclemencies of the 

 season and the better secured is the product. 



Consociation pays because as the olive comes to full fruiting 

 slowly, it offers a new mode of lessening the unproductiveness of the 

 early years and of reducing the expenses of the olive orchard. It 

 may endure only until the olive comes into bearing or may be per- 

 manent. 



The question of consociation or not, dej)ends upon climate, soil 

 and exposure. In very steep, stony, shallow ground, with a rocky 

 subsoil, sandy or in any way arid soil, it is advisable to undertake 

 only the cultivation of the olive, because the other plants would suc- 

 ceed badly and would not pay for the necessary attention. 



On the other hand fertile and rather level lands permit the fruit- 

 ful presence of other plants, while the olive enjoys greater space and 

 light, both being indispensable elements to its prosperous life and 

 copious production. Since the olive is more secure as to its crop,, 

 south of its region as against climatic dangers, and to the north, runs 

 greater risks of loss of crop because it matures late and the tree itself 

 may suffer or even be killed by frosts, it follows that consociation in 

 such countries (giving to the olive all the light) contributes to the 

 more secure ripening of the fruit and to its greater production. In 

 the case of loss of crop or trees, there is something left to the hus- 

 band-man. Reasons therefore for the consociation of the vine are: 



1st — Vines come to fruit in the third year and to maturity in the 

 fifth. This is an advantage from the side of expense and return on 

 capital. 



2d — The vine can be planted with the same preparatory labor as 

 the olive. 



3d — Cultivating the vine at least three times during the year, is 

 an indirect benefit to the olive, the more so as the epochs of these 

 labors occur at seasons opportune for both plants. 



