Olives have the advantage over all other fruits in being longer lived, and an orchard once possessed is possessed for all time. Trees are now in full vigor which were planted many centuries ago. Those planted in Southern California over one hundred years ago, by the early Spanish missionaries, are now yielding crops valued at $150 per tree. They have also the advantage of growing and flourishing in soil almost too poor for anything else. A stony soil is best suited to them and locations contiguous to the sea. They require a climate whose mean annual temperature is not less than 570. The mean temperature of the coldest month should not be less than 410, and the thermometer should at no time drop below 14°. At Santa Barbara and San Diego especially, they have proven very remunerative. The Olives of Southern California are preferred by epicures to those of foreign importation, owing to their peculiar nutty flavor. The best variety is the Spanish olive, which is large and fine flavored. They require very little water and attention. Trees are in good bearing at seven years old and will yield a profit of $500 per acre. In nine years they will be in full bearing, yielding a profit of at least $1000 per acre.

The profits of an olive orchard for the first five years will be about the same as shown for an orange orchard.