BOOK XVII. I. S-ii. II 



should grow for the poor. We will now therefore 

 statc in what manner it chiefly comes about that such a 

 large revenue is dcrived from thesc trees, going on to 

 set forth the genuine and pcrfect method of cultiva- 

 tion, and for that purpose we sliall not treat of the 

 commonly known facts and those which we observe to 

 be established, but of uncertain and doubtful points 

 on which practical conduct chiefly goes wrong ; as it is 

 not our plan to give carcful attcntion to superfluities. 

 But first of all we will spcak about matters of climate 

 and soil that concern all kinds of trees in common. 



II. Trees are specially fond of anorth-east "aspect, Effcctoj 

 wind in that quarter rendering their foliage denser "/^3«^." 

 and more abundant and their timber stronger. This 

 is a point on which most people make a mistake, as the 

 props in a vineyard ought not to be placed so as to 

 shelter the stems froni wind in that quarter, and this 

 precaution should only be taken against a north wind. 

 What is more, exposure to cold at the proper season 

 contributes verv- greatly to the strength of the trees, 

 and they bud best under those circumstances, as 

 otherwise, if exposed to the caresscs of the winds from 

 the south-west, they languish, and especially when in 

 blossom. In fact if the fall of the blossom is followed 

 immediately by rain, the fruit is entirely ruined — so 

 much so that almonds and pears lose their crop of fruit 

 If the weather should be only cloudy or a south-west 

 wind prevail. Rain at the rising of the Pleiads ^* indeed 

 is extremely unfavourable for the vine and the olive, 

 becaase that is their fertilizing season ; this is the four- 

 day period that decides the fate of thc olives, this is the 

 critical point when a south wind brings the dirty clouds 

 we spoke of. AIso cereals ripen worse on days when xvi. 109. 

 the wind is in the south-west, though they ripen faster. 



