Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-11
CuLTIvATING THE OLIVE.
A New Industry That 10 Rapidly Coming
IN. "a Eronf

A New Industry That is Rapidly Coming
to the Front.
B. N. Lelong, Secretary Of the State
Board of Horticulture, is the author of q
work Just being issued from the Office of
the State Printer entitled: 1.-The Olive in
California; Varieties, Budding, Grating,
New Methods and General Observations"
1t is illustrated by fourteen handsome
plates. which contain over forty cuts made
expressly to illustrate this work. He says:
1.-The olive is now more prominently be-
fore the people of California than any other
tree. The merits of the varieties most
largely planted have been widely discussed
through the columns of the press. Only
two varieties have received attention, this
being due to the fact that very little has
been known of other introduced varieties
that have recently come into bearing. |
have, within the past year, given this mat
ter a great deal of attention, and have
spared no pains in investigating anything
in the olive line that has been made known
to me-" He gives illustrations and de-
scribes the following varieties: Picholine,
Saillerr:, Rouget Verdale, Olivere, Lucques,
Pigale, Pepdoutier, Manzanillo, Macro-
carpa, Rubra. Uvaria, Atro-vialacia, Pen
dulina. Columella, Mission and Redding
Picholine.
At Vacaville the Pendoutier variety is
growing in the orchard of A. Montpelier.
Mr.. Montpelier imported his trees from
Italy in 1885. They have been planted
three years; one of the trees bore fruit for
the first time last year. This year all bore
fruit Give trees) excepting one that has not
received any irrigation. Since the trees
were planted they have received very good
care-they have all been irrigated except
ing one; this non-irrigated tree receiving
the same treatment, has made fair growth,
but is not one-tenth the size of the other
trees, and from present indications it will
be several years before it will bear. The
fruit ripened in the first part of October.
At Sonoma this variety is growing in the
orchard of L. P. Rixford. Mr.. Rixford
imported his trees from France some ten
years ago. The trees four years after plant
ing bore fruit in great numbers, and have
continued to bear good and regular crops
every year; they ripen at Sonoma in No
vember. During the last FIVE years (the
place having been rented), the trees re-
ceived no cultivation or pruning. Not
withstanding this, their production has
been good, although the fruit has been
somewhat small.
George E. Laid, of Atwater, MERGED
county, has also a few trees, which bore
fruit this year for the first time. They
ripened there about the same time as at
Vacaville.
At the orchard of Don Juan Gallegos. at
the Mission San Jose, saw several large
trees of the Manzanillo variety that were
loaded with fruit. From all appearances
the tree is a rapid grower and a prolific
hparpr tho frnit hpInr lorua r,aE
of handling. George E. LadG, of Atwater,
has also few trees which bore fruit this
year, maturing there much ahead of the
above-named place. DR.. J. NJ. Stewart, of
Santa Cruz, has several trees in bearing,
There are also few trees in bearing at
San Jose, Niles, and at Santa Barbara. This
olive is excellent for picking and for oil.
Mr.. LeLong says the Columella is pro-
ductive and of superior quality. The
weight Of the fruit generally brings the
branches to the ground, unless they be
proPped. The fruit is of very clear yell
low color before maturity, therefore most
valuable for picking olive. The tree is a
rapid grower, of medium dimensions,
stocky and well able to support the weight
of the fruit. This variety is found growing
in Livermore, San Jose, Niles and Sara
toga. The fruit through the months of
November and December retains its yellow
ish color, then changes to wine red, and
when mature to blue black.
The Redding Picholine was introduced
into this State several years ago; it is
tree of small dimensions; the fruit is gath.
cred on cloths, being stripped from the
limb with hand wooden comb The
fruit makes good oil, and sweet pickle,
but it is best suited as a stock. The true
name of this olive is unknoGn. l also fail
to find it described in any book on the
olive; possibly in its native country it
grows to better proportions than here. 1t
does not belong to the Picholine type.
AT present there is considerable inquiry
in regard to new varieties Among the
first questions asked is, (Which is the
best variety?" / wish / were able to an
swer this question, but regret that it cannot
be answered even if the varieties now fruit
ing were something of the past. The fruit
grower who expects to succeed in the race
of success must study for himself (which
he generally does), investigate what is now
being done, and not jump at hasty con-
illusions, as the many who have planted
the Redding or California Picholine on the
advice that it was the best olive, before it
had borne fruit. II is yet too early to even
say which six varieties are the best, having
had only this years production. In ar
other year much will be known. and will
do all that lies in my power in the further
ance Of the investigation. All the varieties
now fruitipg will be subjected to test,
both for picking and oil; the results will
be given IN the March bulletin. In the
meantime, my advice to growers is, to plant
whatever stock they can get; all stocks are
good. and can be grated or budded even
after several years growth. Enough trees
of new varieties cannot be Obtained, unless
at very high prices, but the Redding Pich-
oline is cheap, and plenty OF it can be OBJ
tanned; it is also very easy to raise. After
forwards it is an easy matter TO graft or
bud them with the buds or gratis from
few small trees.