PLANTING OF FRUIT TREES IN THE DRY LANDS OF CHILE. 589 



of Chile with this tree for the purpose of manufacturing oil, of which 

 the country consumes about 3 to 4 million francs' worth yearly, of 

 which the fourth or fifth part only is olive oil. and the rest oil of mani, 

 amapola, and cotton seed. The planting of Olive orchards is no 

 hindrance to the use of the grass for sheep, because when once the 

 trees are formed (at the end of four or five years in enclosed planta- 

 tions) the trunks could be bound up or protected with wire on three 

 or four stakes. This protection would not cost more than 6d. a tree, 

 and would last many years. The sheep need only be cleared off 

 during the harvesting of the crop. 



The making of olive oil is a very simple industry, and does not 

 require large capital ; on the contrary, a mill, an oil press, and the 

 necessary utensils would not cost more than 3.000. 4,000, or 5,000 

 francs, and, the produce being so valuable, the expense would be quite 

 justified even if the capital had to be greater. This tree, which grows 

 splendidly in dry lands, has the peculiarity that its roots penetrate 

 sufficiently into the subsoil not only to assist the growth of the fruit 

 but also for sustaining its ample evergreen foliage in a fresh condition. 



In concluding this study, which we esteem of so great importance 

 as regards dry lands, so abundant in Chile and elsewhere, we would 

 like to draw attention to the fact that, proceeding with patience and 

 care, any man undertaking it could make a fortune in a few years 

 in view of the fact that land of this description can be purchased, in 

 Chile at least, at the rate of 20 to 25 francs an acre. We have indeed 

 the climate and the soil at our disposal ; there remains only the 

 man with a good will to work and become rich by means of patience 

 and great care, such as we have just indicated. 



