The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1878.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 309, 3 April 1878, Page 2

The Patea Mail. (Published Wednesdays and Saturdays) WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 1878.

Amongst papers presented to Parliament last session, was “ A report on Olive Culture,” by Mr John Glyn, of Leghorn. Mr Glyn, acting under instructions from the then Agent-General (Dr Feather-' ston) visited the olive districts of Tuscany, in 1875, and forwarded the result of his obssrvations in the report referred to. The conclusion arrived at by the writer, from what he had heard and road of the climate of New Zealand, was, that the northern island was admirably suited for the reception of the olive tree, and that its cultivation would

yield large profits. On this point he says, “ There is no doubt that the olive is one of* the most profitable plants that a farmer or landed proprietor can put into his ground, as, if once planted, and carefully attended to in its earlier years, it will become a source of perennial income, living as it does, from generation to generation.” The longevity of the olive tree is set down by one authority, as upwards of 1,000 years, while it is assorted that the olive trees on the hills in some of the oil districts, have been in their present positions from time immemorial, and tiiat there is such vitality and tenacity of life in the roots, that although an olive may be utterly damaged above ground, either by intense cold, fire, lightning, or other causes, that within a

short time it sends up fresh shoots, which soon become prolific trees. The report says—“ Good sized trees will produce from 25lbs to 7 slbs of oil, the average may be taken at 4t)lbs. Tip's at present prices, which rule low, would give about 20s sterling per tree, so that the possible produce of an acre of olive trees of good size, may be estimated as being worth, at from £3OO to £SOO sterling per annum, and once arrived at maturity would be a desirable and permanent property .... Trees will begin to boar fruit in five or six years, and the only care they would need, would be the cutting of a trench round their bases, and dosing' them in spring with liquid manure .... The annual value of the entire yield of oil in Italy, is estimated at not less than £30,000,000 sterling.

. . . It is calculated that the value of a good oil crop in all the countries possessing this cultivation, cannot be less than £100)000,000 sterling, annually. The demand is continually increasing. Owing to the enormous trade in sardines and other articles in oil, the supply in Italy is totally inadequate to the demand.” The olive tree is found within a few miles of the sea, in nearly all parts of the Medeterranean coasts. “ The best of ail climates for this tree is a temperate one, such as Tuscany, and, I may add, of Liguria, -where the trees are cultivated to the summits of the hills, to an altitude of from 700 to 1,000 feet above the sea level, where the cold sometimes is intense in winter, and not unendurably hot in summer. The general opinion is that it thrives best within a short distance of the sea, on hills, with rocky or argillaceous, gravelly soil., The aspect is of no consequence .... Provided the plantations admit of an entirely free circulation of air to all parts, and the drainage is perfect, a moist, rainy, or windy climate, if not too cold in winter, is anything but prejudicial to this plant.

. . . Winds are considered favourable when coming from the sea; they are supposed to contain saline matter, but the olive does* not benefit by being exposed to the sea spray . . . . It is the opinion of the Italian agriculturists that in those countries that have mild winters, and where vines, the fig-tree, and the Indian corn thrive and ripen, the olive must of necessity prosper. . . . Taking into consideration the great range of country—namely, from the 34th to the 46th degrees of north latitude—where the olive is found, and the infinite variety of climates in which it exists, it has been proved that between the 43rd and the 45th parallels of latitude, the finest qualities are produced, and that it will flourish and grow vigorously in all this space when not too far away from the sea. . . . If necessary, I would guarantee its successful introduction into New Zealand, and am convinced that no country is in point of climate, better adapted for it than the greater .part of the Northern Island, and can recommend it as being one of the- most profitable sources of wealth that Providence canconfer on any country. Rocky and volcanic regions are particularly suited to this plant.” From the very copious extracts we have made from the report furnished by Mr Glyn, we think it will be evident that if the Northern Island is admirably suited to the cultivation of the olive tree, that this particular part of the North Island must be especially well suited for the cultivation of the olive, and that it is desirable a move should be made in the direction of obtaining trial plants. The olive may be propogated from stones, but would be only the wild olive, into which would have to be grafted the true olive tree. To landowners on this coast, the olive would prove doubly advantageous, as, being hardy, and natural to the sea coast, it could be grown where nothing else would thrive. It would give the shelter from the sea, so much required for crops and cattle, and in itself, would yield handsome profits. Proper shelter would enable considerably more stock and sheep to be run on holdings, than is nowpossible. We look upon this, as one of the matters which might fairly claim the attention of such a body as the Agricultural Association or of an Acclimatization Society. It is scarcely to be expected that any one person would venture much alone in an experiment of the kind indicated, but the facilities for intercommunication between organized societies and the Government; and information, and where possible, plants, seeds, &c., are so readily given or exchanged, that we can see little difficulty in the way of substantial benefit accruing to the district, by attention being paid by some organized body, or a specially appointed committee, to this, and kindred matters.