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<pre>In this part of Umbria the main varieties are Leccino, Frantoio and
Moraiolo not necessarily in that order but Pendolino is grown as well as
many old trees that cannot be identified as named varieties. In Tuscany
they grow a fair bit of Maurino which is highly regarded as a pollinator
(it produces a lot of pollen over a long period) in spite of the
mediocre quality of the oil.

One of the interesting points that has come out of the discussion is
the role of bees in Australia. These must be local ones as here in Italy
olives are mainly wind pollinated which means (to take up a point made
by Stan) that the heaps of pollen around is not a great deal of use as
it is not carried a long distance by the wind.

Current research in Italy ( described in our book) supports Stan in
that the a mixed planting of 4 or more varieties - called in the Italian
research reports "free crossing" is better than a single cross
pollination. The old timers had this sewn up with there mixed groves.

If one wants to put the whole thing into an historical context - the
problem was invented by the Victorian passion for pure varieties. In the
time of Cato no one bothered and pollination was not regarded as a
problem - he does not mention it at all.

One final point is the safety margin. Fertilisation rates of 3% are
sufficient but higher rates give a margin against bad weather when
pollination is poor.

Cheers Brian Chatterton.
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