BOOK XV. XXI. 80-82 



bccause of this in fig-orchards a goat-fig is allowed to 

 grow on the windward side, so that when a wind 

 blows the gnats may fly off and be carried to the fig- 

 trees. Then a plan was discovered of also bringing 

 branches of the wild fig from somewhere else and 

 throwing them tied together in bundles on to the fig- 

 orchard — a treatment which orchard figs do not 

 require when planted in a thin soil with a northerly 

 aspect, since they dry of their own accord owing to 

 the situation of the place, and this cause by making 

 them spHt open produces the same results as the 

 action of the gnats ; nor yet do they necd screening 

 where there is much dust, which occurs chiefly when 

 a much frequented high road is adjaccnt, for dust also 

 has the effect of drying them up and absorbing the 

 milky juice. This method by means of the dust and 

 the employment of the wild fig also serves the purpose 

 of preventing the figs from falHng off, by removing 

 the juice which is soft and heavy, involving a certain 

 Habihty to break. AU figs are soft to the touch, and 

 when ripe have grains inside them ; also while in 

 process of ripening they contain a milky juice, which 

 when they are quite ripe is of the nature of honey. impmos 

 When left on the tree they grow old, and v,'hen quite ^^'- 

 aged they drip tears of gum. The figs that are 

 highly approved are given the distinction of being 

 dried and kept in boxes, the best and largest growing 

 in the island of Iviza and the next best in the district 

 of Chieti ; but in places where thcre is a very large 

 supply of them, they are packed for storage in large 

 jars in Asia, but in casks in the city of Ruspina in 

 Africa, and when dry they serve the puq:)Ose of 

 bread and other viands at the same time, inasmuch as 

 Cato, as if laying down a law as to the proper rations 



VOL. IV. 



345 



