Chap. 35.] CULTURE OF THE VISE. 503 



some manure is then placed upon the spot, and a stay driven 

 in close to the plant. In the same manner it is again cut 

 down at the end 19 of the second year, and from this it acquires 

 additional strength, and receives nutriment to enable it to 

 endure the onerous task of reproduction. If this is neglected, 

 in its over-haste to bear it will shoot up slim and meagre, 

 like a bulrush, and from not being subjected to such a train- 

 ing, will grow to nothing but wood. In fact, there is no tree 

 that grows with greater eagerness than the vine, and if its 

 strength is not carefully husbanded for the bearing of fruit, it 

 will be sure to grow to nothing but wood. 



The best props for supporting the vine are those which we 

 have already mentioned, 20 or else stays made of the robur and 

 the olive ; if these cannot be procured, then props of juniper, 

 cypress, laburnum, or elder, 21 must be employed. If any other 

 wood is used for the purpose, the stakes should be cut at the 

 end each year : reeds tied together in bundles make excellent 

 cross-rails for the vine, and will last as long as five years. 

 Sometimes the shorter stock-branches of the vines are brought 

 together and tied with vine-cuttings, like so many cords : by 

 this method an arcade is formed, known to us by the name of 

 "funetuni." 



The vine, by the end of the third year, throws out strong 

 and vigorous stock-branches with the greatest rapidity, and 

 these in due time form the tree ; after this, it begins to mount 

 the cross-piece* Some persons are in the habit of fi blinding'' 

 the vine at this period, by removing the eyes with the end of 

 the pruning-knife turned upwards, their object being to in- 

 crease the length of the branches — a most injurious practice, 

 however ; for it is far better to let the tree become habituated 

 to grow of itself, and to prune away the tendrils every now 

 and then when they have reached the cross-rail, so long as it 

 may be deemed proper to add to its strength. There are some 

 persons who forbid the vine to be touched for a whole year 

 after it has been transplanted, and who say that the pruning- 

 knife ought never to be used before it is five years old ; and 



19 This is condemned -by Columella, B. iv. c. 11 ; but is approved of by 

 Virgil, Cato, and other authors. 



20 In c. 34 of this Book. 



21 Stays of elder would be utterly worthless, as they would soon rot, and 

 break directly, upon the least strain. 



