Page:The Olive Its Culture in Theory and Practice.djvu/38

32 top is inclined to grow high. So it requires energetic pruning to keep it down to a convenient height. The tree is not so large as the Morajolo. The leaves are whiter on the lower side, broadened from the middle upwards and very pointed. It flowers generally on the twigs that have filled out a year and are entering into a second year; quite contrary to the Morajolo and other varieties, which bud on wood which is two years old and is entering on a third. For this reason it flowers so abundantly, that it is a matter of doubt whether its name comes from this rich budding or the smallness of the fruit. From its facility in budding and retaining its fruit, it produces olives every year. They are round, and rather lacking in flesh and oil, and for size take a position between the Razzo and wild olive. It begins to mature in December, turning a wine red color. This olive best resists salt wind, dampness and fog.

In appearance this variety most resembles the wild olive. The Leccino is mentioned by all the ancient Latin authors on the subject of the olive, and is the oldest variety that we are able to recognize. Its twigs are very robust, rigid and very long, and not at all ramified. The angle of insertion being about eighty degrees, hence the top is little united, and bends over much like a willow tree; therefore its name Leccio (Quercus Ilex). It is strong to resist wind and cold and the alternations of freezing and thawing. This was proved in the winter of 1871-72, when many Razzo, Grossajo, Marajolo, and even Mignolo, perished, while the Leccino resisted even a temperature of twelve degrees F. The Leccino leaves are very much broadened in the middle, and are obtuse and sharp pointed, the lower side being pale, as in the Mignolo. It flowers richly, and because of its rusticity holds firmly on to its fruit, and carries it to maturity in bunches of two, three, four and even five berries. It is very persistent to the peduncle, which is sometimes leaved as in the wild olive.