Page:The Olive Its Culture in Theory and Practice.djvu/120

98 Trees on the plain can be permitted to grow taller than those on the hills, in order to throw them open to all the air and sun possible. On the other hand, those on the hills are kept lower, so that they may receive the reflected heat and escape the wind and its drying effect.

The olive if kept low will have more vigor than if allowed to grow high, but do not oppose the nature of the tree too much. If it is of a variety that attains a great stature, to a certain extent it must be allowed to have its own way.



The pendant branches which guard it from the heat of the sun, should be preserved as much as possible. When a tree has produced heavily, the horizontal, or fruitful limbs, should be pruned to a certain extent.

A good rule for a well-pruned tree is, that one should be able to put the hand into the interior of the tree without holding off the other branches.