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<pre>Ref Mr Archer's comments about additives to extract oil (at what cost... in
time, in machine wear and tear, in organoleptic quality, in $s, and to
Australia's aim to be known world wide as a 'clean green' producer, we
wonder?).

We became involved in olives because we believed it was the the quality end
of the market Australia was aiming for. That's what the literature and the
burgeoning industry - nurseries, equipment suppliers, irrigators etc. -
kept telling us, time and again.

No doubt, such additives and devices as we may read about in June will be
of use to some operators who want to learn a few tricks of the trade in
regard to oil extraction. But surely our emphasis in Australia at this time
must be on quality and on the big issues, like providing information and
advice of a high standard, including suitable varieties for oil or fruit
(we mean 'or' not 'and'); matters like organoleptic assessment, irrigate or
not, pruning strategies for regular cropping, fertilisers, and so on. And
yes, we do need good research along the way, rather than rushing headlong
into filling paddocks with young plants.

From all we are hearing from overseas experts like Professor Fabbri et
al,planting so-called dual purpose varieties is the wrong way to go about
things. Andrea Fabbri is most emphatic: 'Manzanillo is among the best table
cvs in the world, but is not to be chosen for oil.' And Gonzalo says much
the same thing, unless you happen to have access to Morisco!

Of course, we do need access to good books in English. That's a must. Steve
Sibbett's CA manual is fine, but as he says it's a practitioner's book
first and foremost. Dr Bertini's is older but of use too, and Michael Burr
publishes quite a bit.

Ian & Jenny
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