1 Ocr., 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 375 
The larger grove of olives is planted on a very steep hillside, which could 
not be utilised for any ordinary crops. ‘They are planted in rows 14 feet apart, 
the trees being 12 feet apart. This was long ago seen to be too close, as the 
branches soon interlaced and formed a dense mass of foliage overhead, They 
have, however been judiciously pruned, but are far too high according to 
modern ideas of olive-growing. Some of them rise to a height of from 24 feet 
to 30 feet, with a spread of from 20 to 30 feet. Many of the trees have a 
circumference of over 5 feet, and one tree measured about 6 feet near the 
ground where it spread into four distinct trunks, 
One or two, which have been cut down to a height of 5 feet from the 
ground, have sent out fine healthy shoots which promise to develop into hand- 
some symmetrical limits. From such trees the fruit will be easily gathered by 
the help of a step-ladder, without undue use of a pole, which so damages the 
taller trees when the crop is gathered. 
The best and largest fruit is gathered from the 
garden. hese trees rise to a height of 40 feet, and th 
feet in either direction. From one trunk thr 
height of 2 feet from the ground. 
All the trees bear freely, and every year oil ig made, 
several occasions unfortunately been attacked by a worm, w 
loss. 
splendid trees in the 
eir branches spread 20 
ee chormous stems spring at a 
The fruit has on 
hich caused great 
This year 80 gallons of oil were made, but, as no r 
weight of fruit gathered either per tree or in the 
nothing as to the average yield. The oil made is, how 
(which would have been still better had sranite millstones been used instead of 
iron rollers), and finds ready sale at from 12s. 6d. to 15s. per gallon. 
It is expressed in a very primitive manner, and for this purpose the old 
sugar-mill rollers are used. ‘here is a very good engine, which used to drive 
the rollers, but it is not used, the motive power being supplied by four men, 
who apply a stout lever under the cogs of the wheel erat moves the rollers. 
Yhe process is naturally very slow, and with a very heavy er 
continue. After the preliminary crushing, the Mare is’ 
basket-like bags, and the remaining oil expressed in the 
There can be no doubt that the olive succeeds admirably in Queensland. 
Here and there, wherever they haye been planted in years gone by, both on the 
coast and below or above the Range, they all look healthy, although neglected 
for years. There is no trouble in planting them, Truncheons are easily pro- 
cured, and they will thrive on any bit of waste land useless to the farmer or 
planter, ‘To the young farmer just started in life they would bea certain source 
of income in a very few years, whilst to the older men who planted them it 
would be a source of satisfaction that they had by so doing left a valuable 
legacy not only to their children but to their sreat-orandchildren, 
There appears to be a movement at present in the direction of olive 
cultivation, and we earnestly recommend it to the attention of all cultivators of 
the soil throughout the colony. 
Sir Samuel Davenport, K.C.M.G., who is practically the pioneer in 
olive-growing in South Australia, reports that this season he has obtained from 
one tree over 5 cwt. of olives. The tree in question is over 40 years old. 
The olive crop generally has been good this season, and a considerable quantity 
of oil has been made. 
ecord was kept of the 
ageregate, we can Say 
ever, of excellent quality 
op would not pay to 
placed in rough-woven, 
manner above described. 
FRUIT CULTURE IN QUEENSLAND. 
By ALBERT H. BENSON, 
MANURING, No. 1. 
THE necessity for the systematic manuring of Queensland orchards is one that 
fruitgrowers have hitherto given comparatively little attention to; the reason 
being that, owing to the inherent richness of many of our virgin fruit soils, trees 
