472 pliny's nattjeal histoey. [Book XVII. 



is the best plan to give the roots a bent position, but it is abso- 

 lutely necessary that the tree should be placed in such a manner 

 as to occupy exactly the centre of the hole. The fig-tree, 

 if the slip when planted is stuck in a squill 82 — such being the 

 name of a species of bulb — is said to bear with remarkable 

 rapidity, while the fruit is exempt from all attacks of the 

 worm : the same precaution, too, in planting, will preserve 

 the fruit of all other trees in a similar manner. Who is 

 there, too, that can entertain a doubt that the very greatest 

 care ought to be taken of the roots of the fig-tree when trans- 

 planted ? — indeed, it ought to bear every mark of being taken, 

 and not torn, from out of the earth. Upon this subject I omit 

 various other practical precepts, such, for instance, as the ne- 

 cessity of moulding up the roots with a rammer, a thing that 

 Cato 83 looks upon as of primary importance ; while, at the 

 same time, he recommends that the wound made in the stock 

 should be first covered with dung, and then bound with a 

 layer of leaves. 84 



CHAP. 17. (12.) THE INTEEVALS TO BE LEFT BETWEEN TEEES. 



The present seems to me to be the proper occasion for making 

 some mention of the intervals 85 that ought to be left between 

 the trees. Some persons have recommended that pomegra- 

 nates, myrtles, and laurels should be planted closer together than 

 the other trees, leaving, however, a space of nine feet between 

 them. Apple-trees, they say, should be planted a little wider 

 apart, and pear-trees, almonds, and figs even still more so. 

 The best rule, however, is to consult the length of the branches, 

 and the nature of the spot, as well as the shade that is formed 

 by the tree ; for it is of great importance to take this last into 

 consideration. The shadow thrown by the large trees even is 

 but of small dimensions, when the branches are disposed around 



82 See B. xix. c, 30. A somewhat similar practice is also recommended 

 in B. xv. c. 18 ; but, of course, as Fee remarks, it can lead to no results. 



63 De Re Bust. 28. 



84 Fee remarks that this is a useful precaution, more particularly in the 

 case of the coniferous trees, the fig, and others that are rich in juice ; but 

 if universally used, would be attended with great expense. The French 

 use for the purpose a mixture of fresh earth and cow-dung, to which they 

 give the name of " onguent Saint-Fiacre." Soe p. 481. 



&5 This is from Theophrastus, Hist. Plant, ii. 7. The question, how- 

 ever, depends entirely upon the nature of the tree, the quality of the soil, 

 and various other considerations, as Pliny himself admits. 



