ENQUIRY INTO PLANTS, II. vn. 4-6 



oxen, and sixth that of beasts of burden. 1 Litter 

 manure is of different kinds and is applied in various 

 ways : some kinds are weaker, some stronger. 



Spade-work is held to be beneficial to all trees, 

 and also hoeing for the smaller ones, as they then 

 become more vigorous. Even dust 2 is thought to 

 fertilise some things and make them flourish, for 

 instance the grape ; wherefore they often put dust to 

 the roots of the vine. Some also dig in dust about 

 the figs in places where it is deficient. 3 In Megara, 

 when the etesian winds are past, they cover the 

 cucumber and gourd plants with dust by raking, and 

 so make the fruits sweeter and tenderer by not 

 watering. On this point there is general agreement. 

 But some say that dust should not be put to the vine, 4 

 and that it should not be meddled with at all when 

 the grape is turning, or, if at all, only when it has 

 turned black. Some again say that even then nothing 

 should be done except to pluck up the weeds. So 

 on this point there is a difference of opinion. 



5 If a tree does not bear fruit but inclines to a 

 leafy growth, they split that part of the stem which 

 is underground and insert a stone corresponding 6 to 

 the crack thus made, and then, they say, it will bear. 

 The same result follows, if one cuts off some of the 

 roots, and accordingly they thus treat the surface 

 roots of the vine when it runs to leaf. In the case 

 of figs, in addition to root-pruning, 7 they also sprinkle 

 ashes about the tree, and make gashes in the stems, 

 and then, they say, it bears better. 8 Into the almond 

 tree they drive an iron peg, and, having thus made 



8 oncas ^.v ftay?) Aid.: SO G; ? '6irov ; enrols avedyr; conj. W, 

 cf. Geop. 5. 35. ' 7 Plin. I.e. 

 8 cf. 2. 2. 11 ; C.P. 1. 17. 10 ; 2. H. 1 ; Plin. 7. 253. 



149 



