Daily Los Angeles herald., 1884-05-15
Olive Growing.

II Is sign Of wisdom and an indication
OF prosperity to observe the increased at.
tention that 10 being paid TO the cultiva-
tion OF tho olive tree in California. From
Pasadena to Etiwanda in many places
this historic tree is being planted and is
attaining tine growth. This valuable
tree will produce q diversity Of crops
that must be Of great Importance in the
future. Should disease overtake the
orange and the grape, the olive will sup
ply the deficiency with its valuable yield.
The HERALD has steadily advocated q
diversified industry to preserve steadi-
ness Of supply aud demand which is
essential to the stobility Of trade.
The stability Of trade in this country
would be largely promoted by the cult
vation of the olive, the product OF which
is salable and profitable at all seasons
Of the year. The persons who are plant
lug this tree for the first time. will do
we'll to observe the valuable hints in the
follow ing extract from letter on olive
trees, by Frank A. Kimbali, OF San
Diego, who has had several years of
experience in this business aad has been
very successful:
THE habit of the Mission olive
whether natural or the result OF eli
matte causes, since its introduction into
California, is to branch low, and II these
low limbs be removed by severe prun.
ing, the higher limbs will droop and
shade the trunk, and right hero is where
the mission" olive has an advantage
over many varieties which send out
their branches at on acute angle to the
main stock of the tree, thus exposing
the trunk to the desiccating influence
OF our long dry seasons. the tendency
being to evsporate the sap which Ma
ture intended should be deposited as
wood.
81 have tried the experiment and am
satisfied that larger tree eau be made
in five years by low branching, than in
seven years by pruning the low branches
and exposing the trunk. All trees
trimmed high will have coarse bark and
rough. like the bark on old apple trees,
but when protected by foliage. the bark
remains smooth and green.
MANY people are OF the opinion that
the olive tree may bo planted on land
which is worthless for any other plant,
and as q general conclusion say, the
olive will gov anywhere and thrive
without care. Experience in Southern
California will prove the fallacy Of such
conclusions and l believe it may be
written down as an axiom--that every
plant, to secure the best results must he
planted in soil adapted to its nature, in
locations adapted to its habits, and
receivs such care and cultivation as
would entitle the owner to expect salts
factory returns.
"Huudreds and perhaps thousands Of
cargoss Of earth have been transported
ON vessels from the Island of Cyprus to
the Island Of Malta, carried up the
mountain sides on the heads or shoulders
Of men and women, and added to the
poor rocky sterile soil Of the mountains
aud make it possible to produce the
wonderful crops that have made that
island. having an area Of less than six or
eight miles OF arabic land, the most pro-
ductivs of any similar area, probably,
ON the globe, there being an annual ex'
port of from %. 900 to $4,000 in the
product of the olive tree. mulberry tree
and the vine."
There is great good sense in the above
extract. 1t has become we'll known
fact that the large and handsome olives
are produced from well cultivated trees
on upland soil and that the little fruit
is from trees that have been grossly
neglected. Los Angeles county can. and
should have the best Of this fruit.