Chap. 2.] THE INFLUENCE OF WEATHER ON TREES. 441 



affect any scrupulous exactness in cases where there is no 

 necessity for it, will be no part of our purpose. In the first 

 place, however, we will consider in a general point of view, 

 those influences of soil as well as weather which are exercised 

 upon all the trees in common. 



CHAP. 2. (2.) THE INFLUENCE OF WEATHER UPON THE TREES I 



WHAT IS THE PROPER SITUATION FOR THE VINE. 



Trees are fond of a site more particularly that faces the 

 north-east ; 12 the breezes rendering their foliage more thick and 

 exuberant, and imparting additional solidity to the wood. This 

 is a point, however, upon which most people are very greatly 

 deceived ; thus in vineyards, for instance, the props ought not 

 to be placed in such a position as to shelter the stems from the 

 wind in that quarter, it being only against the northern blasts 

 that this precaution should be taken. Nay, even more than this 

 — if the cold weather only comes on in due season, it contributes 

 very materially to the strengthening of the trees, and promotes 

 the process of germination ; while, on the other hand, if at that 

 period the southern 13 breezes should caress them, they will grow 

 weak and languid, and more particularly so, if the blossom is 

 just coming on. If rainy weather, too, should happen to 

 follow close upon blossoming, the total destruction of the fruit 

 is the necessary result : indeed, if the weather should be only 

 cloudy, or south winds happen to prevail, it is quite sufficient 

 to ensure the loss of the fruit in the almond and the pear. 14 

 Rains, if prevalent about the rising of the Vergilise, 15 are most 

 injurious to the vine and the olive, 16 as it is at that season that 

 germination 17 is commencing with them ; indeed, this is a most 



12 Or north north-east, as Fee says. He adds that this aspect in re- 

 ality is not favourable to vegetation. Pliny commits the error of copying 

 exactly from Theophrastus, and thereby giving advice to Roman agricul- 

 turists, which was properly suited to the climate of Greece only. 



13 This is borrowed from Theophrastus ; but, as Fee remarks, if suitable 

 to the climate of Greece, it is not so to that of Italy or France, where 

 vegetation is much more promoted by a south wind. 



14 This assertion, Fee says, is erroneous. See B. xvi. c. 46. 



15 B. xviii. c. 66. 



16 See c. 30 of this Book. These notions as to critical periods to plants 

 connected with the constellations, Fee says, are now almost dispelled j 

 though they still prevail in France, to some extent. 



17 °" Coitus." See B. xvi. cc. 39 and 42. 



