THE OLIVE 83 



degrees Fahrenheit, without receiving any damage. One hun- 

 dred and ten degrees Fahrenheit proved injurious to the prospect 

 of a crop on the Quito Farm in May, 1887, cutting down 

 by two-thirds what promised to be an unusually large yield. It 

 is the still, burning heat that does the harm. For this reason, 

 rising ground or the middle hills are sought for the olive, where it 

 may get the benefit of every passing breeze. 



It is a sign of good fructification when the tree covers itself with 

 blossoms to its very summit, as it proves its capacity to nourish 

 flowers so far from the trunk. The flowers having fallen and the new 

 berries formed, the olive orchard should be cultivated for the third 

 time, and still again in the early part oi September. The ground 

 immediately about the trees should be dug over with the split spade 

 or earth fork, taking care not to injure the lateral roots which lie 

 near the surface. 



TRANSPLANTATION. 



Care should be taken in transplanting young trees to convey with 

 them as much of their native earth as possible, some laceration of 

 the delicate capillaries is unavoidable. A spade is the proper tool 

 to use, If the tree is then kept for twenty, thirty, and even forty 

 days in a dark place, it will be found to be exceedingly beneficial to it. 

 The activity of the functions of the plant having been greatly di- 

 minished in the leaves, the root system is correspondingly stimu- 

 lated, and will produce new shoots, which by their absorbing power, 

 will contribute greatly to the vigor of the young plant. The break- 

 ing of the extreme ends of the roots, occasions no harm since the 

 absorbent surface of the roots is confined to the parts provided with 

 hairs, which are found in the middle of the young fibers. The ex- 

 posure of the extreme ends or even cutting them, will not affect 

 the freshness or vigor of the plant, but if the middle part be 

 wounded, the injured fibers should be cut off immediately, in order- 

 that the sound part may not suffer by contact. 



