Page:The Olive Its Culture in Theory and Practice.djvu/81

Rh any number of truncheons that should unite all these qualities; especially as the tree has to be pruned, with this object in view, for three or four years beforehand. As may be imagined, a tree that has been robbed of three or four truncheons, is not improved in appearance, and it takes much time to cover up the space left bare. The limbs once cut off, should be placed in the holes prepared for them as soon as possible; so much so, that both acts should be performed simultaneously, but if through an unavoidable delay, owing to distance of transportation, or some similar cause, the truncheon should have dried somewhat, soak it in water for a day or two, and then put it in wet earth to a depth of two, or two and a half feet. But after all said and done, do not fail to plant it as soon as possible. Supposing everything to be ready, first throw a shovel full of well fermented manure into the bottom of the hole already prepared; this being the more necessary the less fertile the soil, over this an inch and a half of some of the best top soil, then place the truncheon upright in the center and cover with good top soil taken from another spot, press down with the feet, and leave a slight depression about the plant, if there is a prospect of rain, or if it is proposed to give it water. After watering, or a rain, the ground which has settled should be replaced, and then heaped as high on the plant as possible. The warmer the climate, the more necessary this will be found.

In the south of Spain, and Portugal, where this method is practiced, it is customary to build up on the plant, a cover of mud to a height of five feet leaving only one foot of it exposed, where it buds.

The advantage of covering a plant in this way, is plain, as we know it evaporates its moisture, and having no roots to absorb with, the more sun and air it receives, the faster it loses the elements that are to help its growth. So truncheons are often seen with the upper part dead, and dry from the heat of the sun; then, they bud from below. When covered, this rarely happens. Half way