Chap. 31.] CLEANING AND BA1UNG THE EOOTS. 



491 



such, for instance, as the fig and the olive. In accordance 

 with this plan, he recommends that a fig-tree should be planted 

 near an olive, at a distance sufficiently near to admit of the fig 

 being touched by a branch of the olive when extended to its 

 full length ; as supple and pliant a one as possible being selected 

 for the purpose, and due care being taken all the time to 

 render it seasoned by keeping it constantly on the stretch. 

 After this, when the fig has gained sufficient vigour, a thing 

 that generally happens at the end of three or five years^ at 

 most, the top of it is cut off, the end of the olive branch being 

 also cut to a point in the manner already stated. 58 This 

 point is then to be inserted in the trunk of the fig, and made 

 secure with cords, lest, being bent, it should happen to rebound : 

 in this way we find the method of propagating by layers com- 

 bined with that of grafting. This union between the two pa- 

 rent trees is allowed to continue for three years, and then in 

 the fourth the branch is cut away and left entirely upon the 

 tree that has so adopted it. This method however, is not 

 at present universally known, at all events, so far as I have 

 been able to ascertain. 



CHAP. 31. CLEANING A^D BARING THE EOOTS, AND MOTJLDING 



THEM. 



In addition to these particulars, the same considerations 

 that I have already 59 mentioned in reference to warm or cold, 

 moist or dry soils, have also taught us the necessity of trench- 

 ing around the roots. These trenches, however, in a moist, 

 watery soil, should be neither wide nor deep ; while the con- 

 trary is the case where the ground is hot and dry ; it being the 

 object, in the latter instance, to let them receive and retain as 

 much water as possible. This rule is applicable to the culture 

 of old trees as well ; for in very hot places the-roots are well 

 moulded in summer, and carefully covered up, to prevent the 

 heat of the sun from parching them. In other places, again, 

 the ground is cleared away from the roots, in order to give free 

 access to the air, while in winter they are carefully moulded 

 to protect them from the frost. The contrary is the case, how- 

 ever, in hot climates, for there they bare the roots in winter 



» In c. 24 of this Book. 



59 All the precepts given in this Chapter have been already given in cc. 

 3 and 4 of the present Book. 



