136 



MY VINEYARD. 



that these old writers incorporate strange notions and ridi- 

 culons explanations into their discourses ; but the rnles 

 laid down, and the directions given, are generally the ones 

 which, even at the present day, lead to success. 



Pliny writes largely upon the vine. His directions for 

 its culture are almost as complete as any that can now be 

 given. He indulges in long discourses upon the great 

 excellence of numerous varieties, and in one place gives 

 the poet Yirgil a sound scolding for mentioning only fif- 

 teen^varieties in the Georgies. As an illustration of what 

 ought to be done, he describes ninety-one varieties of 

 grapes, and fifty of wine. 



One marked feature which distinguishes ancient from 

 modern culture, is the training of vines to trees, a method 

 occasionally adopted by the ancients. Virgil tells us how 

 this ought to be done : 



" Be mindful when thou has intombed the shoot, 

 With store of earth around to feed the root ; 

 With iron teeth of rakes and pcongs to move 

 The crusted earth, and loosen it above. 

 Then exercise thy sturdy steers to plow 

 Betwixt tlie vines, and teach each feeble row 

 To mount on reeds and wands, and upwaid led 

 On ashen poles to raise their forky head. 

 On these new crutches let them learn to walk, 

 'Til, swerving upw ards with a stronger stalk. 

 They brave the winds, and climbing to their guide, 

 On tops of elms at length triumphartt ride." 



Says Pliny upon this point : " In Campania they attach 

 the vine to the poplar ; embracing tbe'tree to which it is 

 thus wedded, the vine grasps the branches with its amor- 



