Page:The Olive Its Culture in Theory and Practice.djvu/65



So says Virgil, seemingly indicating that the soil of Italy at that time was richer and stronger than at present, for later experience has overwhelmingly demonstrated that fertilization is indispensable to the olive.

The analysis of the wood, leaves, and fruit of the olive, given in the preceding chapter, is equally applicable when considering the proper methods of fertilization. Lime for wood and leaves, and potash for the berry, seems to be the lesson it teaches.

It is no more possible in olive cultivation, than in the growing of any other vegetable, to year after year draw certain ingredients from the soil, without ever returning them again, and expect the trees to keep on giving fruit without receiving the nutriment they crave.

Fertilization is indispensable to maintain the olive in a prosperous and fruitful condition. In rich soils it may for a certain time be omitted, but a continued neglect will diminish the productiveness; and fructification will become infrequent and unremunerative, in places where the tree is seldom or never fertilized. The lack of