CHAP. VI.
¶ How to keep Oliues, and the way to make oile of them.
CAto alloweth of no other means to keep and preserue oliues (and specially the great ones [unspec B] made like cullions, named thereupon Orchita, and the Pausiae) but either in brine and pic∣kle when they are greene, or else among Lentisk branches when they are bruised and bro∣ken. The best oile is made (saith he) of the greenest and sourest oliues. Moreouer, so soon as euer they be faln, they must be gathered from off the ground; and if they be fouled and beraied with the earth, they ought to be washed clean, and then laid to dry three daies at the most. Now if it fall out to be weather disposed vnto frost, they should be pressed at 4 daies end. He giueth order also, to bestrew and sprinkle them with salt: saying moreouer, that if they be kept in bor∣ded sollors or garners, the oile will be both lesse in quantitie, & worse withal. So it wil be also, if it be let lie long in the lees, or together with the cake and grounds, when they be bruised and beaten: for this is the very fleshie and grosse substance of the Oliues, which cannot chuse but [unspec C] breed filthy dregs. And therfore he ordaineth, that oftentimes in a day it should be poured out of one vessell into another, & so by setling clarified from the grounds, & then to put it vp after∣wards into pans and panchions of earth, or els into vessels or kimnels of lead, for brasse mettall wil mar oile. All this should be done within close presses and rooms, and those kept shut, where no aire or wind may come in, that they might be as warm and hot as stouves. He forbids also to cut any wood or fuel there, to maintain fire; for that the fire made of their stones and kernels, is most kindly of any other. To the end also that the grounds & lees should be liquified and turn into oile, euen to the very last drop, the oile should be let run out of those vessels or kimnels a∣foresaid into a vat or cistern; for which purpose the vessels are often to be clensed, & the ozier paniers to be scoured with a spunge, that the oile might stand most pure & clear. But afterward [unspec D] came vp the deuise to wash oliues first in hot water, & then immediatly to put them whole as they are, into the presse; for by that means they squize forth lees & all: and then anon to bruise and crush them in a mil, & so presse them in the end. Moreouer, it is not thought good to presse the second time aboue 100 Modij, which is the full proportion of one pressure, & it is called Factus. That which after the mil comes first, is named the floure of the oile, or the Mere-gout. Lastly, to presse 300 Modij, is thought to be foure mens work ordinarily in one night and a day.