Fertilization
CHAPTER V.
"Quite opposite to these are olives found,
No dressing they require and dread no wound;
No rakes nor harrows need, but fixed below,
Rejoice in open air, and unconcern'dly grow.
The soil itself due nourishment supplies;
Plough but the furrows and the fruits arise,
Content with small endeavors, till they spring,
Soft peace they figure and sweet plenty bring.
Men olives plant, and hymns to Pallas sing."
Virgil, Georgics II, 586.
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
