Ferdinand von Mueller

1

Letter not found. For the text given here, see B86.08.07.

Melbourne 16th June, 1886.

In accordance with the request of the Royal Commission, I have named the varieties of olives submitted to me, so far as this can be done, bearing in mind that the transfer of any of the sorts of these plants to another part of the globe, and therefore to a more or less different soil and clime, admits not always of fixing the altered varieties here, each, according to circumstances, possessing some mutability, and all having sprung from one original stock. I consider what is sent (and now returned) to consist of the following varieties:—

Picholine,—The oil of this is regarded as generally fine and sweet; the fruit is esteemed for preserves.

Verdale.—A form passing into Picholine. This is, as a rule, of middling fecundity.

Cayone (or Aglandon).—The oil of this proves always excellent, and the yield is also good.

Moureau.—A form verging towards Bouteilleau. Largely cultivated in the Provence and in Languedoc.

Bouteilleau.—Produces a good oil; the productiveness is variable, sometimes very abundant.

The above notes are from local South-European experiences.

I would, however, respectfully suggest that of each of these varieties here a quantity of fruit be gathered, and be pressed at the Laboratory of the Agricultural or any other department, so that the quality and quantity of yield may be ascertained of each sort separately, as that would be so much positive information as regards the district where these particular kinds of olive were grown.

John Shillinglaw, Esq., Secretary, &c.