ARE THE BEST AND MOST WIDELY PLANTED 
57 
which is used largely for cabinet making. The nut is of medium size, has a 
very hard shell, and possesses a plump kernel, which has a hne rich tiavor. 
It is planted quite extensively in some sections as an ornamental shade tree 
and is well adapted lor this purpose. 
California Black The California Black walnut resembles the American 
Black. The tree grows large, having much the same 
habits as the American Black but produces nuts 01 smaller size. 
On account of the large quantities of soft shell walnuts grown in California 
the Caliiornia Black nut is little used for dessert purposes, it is, however, a 
decided lavorite with California .Nurserymen lor propagating purposes. 
OLIVES 
Olive planting is commanding wide attention in this state, especially in the 
interior valleys where they reach their highest state of periection, and when 
given proper care in pruning and cultivation respond with abundant crops. 
Olives make handsome specimen, border and avenue trees. Their light 
gray foliage, contrasting with other trees and vines, make a picturesque land¬ 
scape etlect as well as producing fruit now selling at values that are not 
equalled by any other commercial fruit product. 
The Mission variety has a hne upright growth and is best suited for the 
above purposes, while Manzanillo, Sevillano and Ascolano, being spreading 
growers, are usually planted in orchard form. These four varieties com¬ 
prise the best pickling sorts on the market. For oil production the Mission 
is considered the best. 
Olives thrive best on deep, well-drained loam, and should be planted 30 feet 
apart, either on borders or in orchard form. We make it a rule to cut back 
all of our trees before shipping, the pruning required dependent upon the size 
of the tree. As the trees are dug they are pruned immediately, the roots are 
immersed in thick mud to exclude them from the air and prevent their drying 
out. When planters receive their stock it should be immediately unpacked 
and trenched in and the ground soaked with water, and when planting only 
a few trees should be taken out of the trench and these carried in the field 
with the roots wrapped in wet burlap 
When the trees are planted, cut 
them back to 20 inches, shortening in 
any lateral branches at least to 2 
inches. The first winter after plant¬ 
ing, cut off all growth except four or 
five branches which are left to form 
the head of the tree and these should 
be so distributed around the trunk as 
not to cause crowding or overlapping 
in future years. When pruning the 
second year, leave from one to two 
lateral branches on each frame-work 
branch and cut them back one-half. 
The future pruning of the tree is to 
preserve its shape and not allow over¬ 
lapping and crossed branches to grow. 
Olive trees do not, as a rule, come 
into bearing until they have been 
planted out for at least five years; 
from that time on the trees will bear 
heavier each year. A ten-year old 
orchard should produce two tons of 
fruit to the acre. Fancy prices are 
ruling this year and growers are con¬ 
tracting Sevillano and Ascolano from 
$200 to $300 per ton, while Mission 
and Manzanillo are selling at $125 to 
$200 per ton. When the olives are 
used for oil the price ranges from $60 
to $75 per ton. 
Statisticians advise that the Califor¬ 
nia olive crop for 1916, as packed, was 
3,600.000 quarts of pickled olives and 
350,000 gallons of oil was pressed. A 
wonderful showing — and yet, by Sep¬ 
tember 1st, 1917, olive oil was en¬ 
tirely sold and practically the entire pack of pickles had been disposed of. 
