Chap. 4.] FIFTEEN VAUIETIES OF OLIYES. 281 
which is in reality only the near approach of corruption. A 
second error, too, is the supposition that the oil increases pro- 
portionably to the flesh of the berry, it being the fact that the 
oil is all the time undergoing a change into flesh, and the stone 
is growing larger and larger within. It is for this reason 
more particularly, that care is taken to water the tree at this 
period ; the real result of all this care and attention, as well as 
of the fall of copious rains, being, that the oil in reality is 
absorbed as the berry increases in size, unless fine dry weather 
should happen to set in, which naturally tends to contract the 
volume of the fruit. According to Theophrastus,^^ heat is the 
sole primary cause of the oleaginous principle ; for which reason 
it is, that in the presses, and in the cellars even, great fires 
are lighted to improve the quality of the oil. 
A third error arises from misplaced economy : to spare the 
expense of gathering, people are in the habit of waiting till the 
berry falls from the tree. Others, again, who wish to follow a 
middle course in this respect, beat the fruit off with poles, and 
so inflict injury on the tree and ensure loss in the succeeding 
year ; indeed, there was a very ancient regulation in existence 
relative to the gathering of the olive — '^IS'either pull nor 
beat the olive-tree.'^®" Those who would observe a still greater 
degree of precaution, strike the branches lightly with a reed on 
one side of them ; but even then the tree is reduced to bearing 
fruit but once in two years, in consequence of the injury done 
to the buds. ISTot less injurious, however, are the results of 
waiting till the berries fall from the tree ; for, by remaining on 
it beyond the proper time, they deprive the crop that is coming 
on of its due share of nutriment, by occupying its place : a 
clear proof of which is, that if they are not gathered before the 
west winds prevail, they are found to have acquired renewed 
strength, and are all the later before they fall. 
CHAP. 4. FIFTEEN VAEIETIES OF OLIVES. 
The first olive that is gathered after the autumn is that 
26 De Causis, B. i. c 23. 
27 This cannot possibly increase the oil, but it would render it more 
fluid, and thereby facilitate its escape from the cells of the berry. 
28 But Cato, Ee Rust. c. 144, adds the very significant words, " injussu 
domini aut custodis." " Without the leave of the owner or the keeper," 
29 It is found that the oUve, after an abundant season, will not bear in 
the following year ; probably the result of exhaustion. 
