I] THE SITE 27 



CHAPTER Vn 



THE SITE 



As to the natural configuration, says Stolo, I 

 fancy that Cato hits the mark when he writes 

 that the best ground is that which lies at the base 

 lj2of a mountain, and faces South. Here Scrofa 

 breaks in with 



Concerning artificial configuration, I have this 

 remark to make — productiveness varies directly 

 with pleasing appearance, as in the case of trees 

 supporting vines, which give better results if they 

 are planted in quiiicunx ^ order, owing to their 

 symmetrical lines and the reasonable intervals be- 

 tween each tree. Thus our ancestors, from a given 

 piece of land, badly sown, produced wine and corn 

 inferior both in quantity and quality; for plants ar- 

 ranged in proper order take up less room, and in- 

 terfere less with one another in respect of sunlight, 

 3 moonlight, and air. There are several facts which 

 might lead us to expect this. For instance, nuts 

 which would go when whole into a peck-measure, 



' In quincuncem. Like the Five on a playing-card. " Five 

 trees so set together, that a regular angularity, and through 

 prospect, was left on every side. Owing this name not only 

 unto the Quintuple number of Trees, but the figure declaring 

 that number, which being doubled at the angle makes up the 

 letter X, that is the Emphatical decussation, or fundamentall 

 figure " (Sir Thomas Browne). 



