552 flint's natural histoey. [Book XVII. 



Though manure is grateful to the tree, still it is necessary to 

 be careful not to apply it while the sun is hot, or while it 

 is too new, or more stimulating than is absolutely necessary. 

 The dung of swine will burn 51 up the vine, if used at shorter 

 intervals than those of five years ; unless, indeed, it is mixed 

 with water. The same is the case, too, with the refuse of the cur- 

 rier's workshop, unless it is well diluted with water : manure 

 will scorch also, if laid on land too plentifully. It is generally 

 considered the proper proportion, to use three modii to every ten 

 feet square ; this, however, the nature of the soil must decide. 



CHAP. 47. MEDICAMENTS FOE TEEES. 



Wounds and incisions of trees are treated also with, pigeon 

 dung and swine manure. If pomegranates are acid, the roots 

 of the tree are cleared, and swine's dung is applied to them : 

 the result is, that in the first year the fruit will have a vinous 

 flavour, but in the succeeding one it will be sweet. Some 

 persons are of opinion that the pomegranate should be watered 

 four times a year with a mixture of human urine and water, 

 at the rate of an amphora to each tree ; or else that the ex- 

 tremities of the branches should be sprinkled with silphium 52 

 steeped in wine. The stalk of the pomegranate should be 

 twisted, if it is found to split while on the tree. The fig, too, 

 should be drenched with the amurca of olives, and other trees 

 when they are ailing, with lees of wine ; or else lupines may 

 he sown about the roots. The water, too, of a decoction of 

 lupines is beneficial to the fruit, if poured upon the roots of 

 the tree. When it thunders at the time of the Yulcanalia, 53 

 the figs fall off ; the only remedy for which is to have the area 

 beneath ready covered with barley-straw. Lime applied to 

 the roots of the tree makes cherries come sooner to maturity, 

 and ripen more rapidly. The best plan, too, with the cherry, 

 as with all other kinds, is to thin the fruit, so that that which 

 is left behind may grow all the larger. 



(28.) There are some trees, again, which thrive all the better 

 for being maltreated, 54 or else are stimulated by pungent sub- 

 stances ; the palm and the mastich for instance, which derive 

 nutriment from salt water. 55 Ashes have the same virtues as 

 51 Agriculturists, Fee says, are not agreed upon this question. 



53 Or laser. See B. xix. c. 15. ™ See B. xviii. c. 35. 



54 Poena emendantur. 



55 It is very doubtful whether this is not likely to prove very injurious 

 to them. This passage is from Theophrastus, De Causis, B. iii. c. 23. 



