500 pliny's NaTUKAL HISTORY. [Book XYII. 



with the branches running 7 along the ground, the vine that 

 stands without support, 8 the vine that is propped and re- 

 quires no cross-piece, 9 the vine that is propped and requires 

 a single cross-piece, and the vine that requires a trellis of four 

 compartments. 10 The mode of cultivation requisite for the 

 propped vine may be understood as equally adapted to the one 

 that stands by itself and requires no support, for this last me- 

 thod is only employed where there is a scarcity of wood for stays. 

 The stay with the single cross-piece in a straight line is known 

 by the name of " canterius." It is the best of all for the 

 wine, for then the tree throws no shadow, and the grape is 

 ripened continuously by the sun, while, at the same time, it 

 derives more advantage from the action of the wind, and dis- 

 engages the dew with greater facility : the superfluous _ leaves 

 and shoots, too, are more easily removed, and the breaking up 

 of the earth and other operations about the tree are effected 

 with greater facility. But, above all, by the adoption of this 

 method, the tree sheds its blossoms more beneficially than 

 under any other circumstances. This cross-piece is generally 

 made of a stake, or a reed, or else of a rope of hair or hemp, 

 as is usually the case in Spain and at Brundisium. When the 

 trellis is employed, wine is produced in greater quantities ; 

 this method has its name of " compluviata" from the " com- 

 pluvium" or square opening in the roofs of our houses ; the 

 trellis is divided into four compartments by as many cross- 

 pieces. This mode of planting the vine will now be treated 

 of, and it will be found equally applicable to every kind, with 

 the only difference that under this last method the operation 

 is somewhat more complicated. 



The vine is planted three different ways ; in a soil that has 

 been turned up with the spade—the best of the three ; in fur- 

 rows, which is the nest best ; and in holes, the least advisable 

 method of all : of the way in which ground is prepared by 

 digging, we have made sufficient mention already. (22. )_ In 

 preparing the furrows 11 for the vine it will be quite sufficient 



7 See B. xiv. c. 4. 8 See B xiv. o. 4 



9 " Juo-um." The cross-piece running along the top oi the stay at ngnt 

 angles ; a rail or trail. . . 



°o " CompluviatsB quadruplici." Four cross-pieces running at right 

 angles to the prop or stay. See B. xvi. c. 68. 



» When these trenches and furrows are employed by the moderns, they 



