THE GARDENS OF EPICURUS 49 



are grown, make only a pillar between them of two or 

 three feet broad. 



Whoever would have the best fruits in the most 

 perfection our climate will allow, should not take care 

 of giving them as much sun, but also as much air as he 

 can ; no tree, unless dwarf, should be suffered to grow 

 with forty feet of your best walls, but the farther they 

 lie open, is still the better. Of all others, this care is 

 most necessary in vines, which are observed abroad to 

 make the best wines, where they lie upon sides of hills, 

 and so most exposed to the air and the wind. The way 

 of pruning them too, is best learned from the vineyards, 

 where you see nothing in winter, but what looks like a 

 dead stump ; and upon our walls they should be left 

 but like a ragged staff, not above two or three eyes at 

 most upon the bearing branches ; and the lower the 

 vine and fewer the branches, the grapes will be still the 

 better. 



The best figure of a garden is either a square or an] 

 oblong, and either upon a flat or a descent ; they have 1 

 all their beauties, but the best I esteem an oblong upon j 

 a descent. The beauty, the air, the view makesj 

 amends for the expense, which is very great in finish- 

 ing and supporting the terrace-walks, in levelling the 



