Chap. 74.] THE VINTAGE. 109 



In this interval of time, the rural operations consist in sowing 

 rape and turnips, upon the days which have been mentioned on 

 a previous occasion. 43 The people in the country are of opinion, 

 that it is not a good plan to sow rape after the departure of the 

 stork ; but for my own part, I am of opinion that it should 

 be sown after the Yulcanalia, and the early kind at the same 

 time as panic. After the setting of the Lyre, vetches should 

 be sown, kidney-beans and hay-grass : it is generally recom- 

 mended that this should be done while the moon is in con- 

 junction. This, too, is the proper time for gathering in the 

 leaves : it is fair work for one woodman, to fill four baskets 44 

 in the day. If the leaves are gathered while the moon is on 

 the wane, they will not decay ; they ought not to be dry, 

 however, when gathered. 



The ancients were of opinion, that the vintage is never ripe 

 before the equinox ; but at the present day I find that it is 

 gathered in before that period ; it will be as well, therefore, 

 to give the signs and indications by which the proper moment 

 may be exactly ascertained. The rules for getting in the vin- 

 tage are to the following effect: Never gather the grape in a 

 heated state, 45 or in other words, when the weather is dry, and 

 before the rains have fallen ; nor ought it to be gathered when 

 covered with dew, or in other words, when dews have fallen 

 during the night, nor yet before the dews have been dispelled 

 by the sun. Commence the vintage when the bearing-shoots 

 begin to recline upon the stem, or when, after a grape is re- 

 moved from the bunch, the space left empty is not rilled up ; 

 this being a sure proof that the berry has ceased to increase in 

 size. It is of the greatest consequence to the grape, that it 

 should be gathered while the moon is on the increase. Each 

 pressing should fill twenty culei, 46 that boing the fair propor- 

 tion. To fill twenty culei and vats 47 from twenty jugera of 

 vineyard, a single press will be enough. In pressing the grape, 

 some persons use a single press- board, but it is a better plan 



43 In c. 35 of this Book. 



44 " Frondarias fiscinas." These must have been baskets of a very large 

 size. The leaves were used for fodder. 



45 This, Fee says, is diametrically opposite to the modern practice. 



46 The u culeus," it is supposed, was of the same measure of capacity as the 

 "dolium,"and held twenty amphorae. The " pressura," or "pressing," was 

 probably the utmost quantity that the pressing vat would hold at one time. 



47 ** Lac us." 



