BOOK XVII. II. 17-21 



in the same class of trees, as for example among pears, 

 winter varieties require rain on one day and early 

 pcars on another, although thcy all alikc nced a period 

 of wintry wcather beforc budding. The same cause 

 that makcs a north-west wind more beneficial than 

 a south-west wind also rcnders inland regions supcrior 

 to placcs on thc coast — the rcason bcing that they are 

 iisually coolcr — and mountain districts superior to 

 plains, and rain in the night prcfcrable to rain by day, 

 vegctation gctting more enjoyment from the water 

 whcn the sun docs not immcdiately make it evaporatc. 



Connectcd with this subject is also the theory oi Effcctsoj 

 the situation for vincyards and trees " — what aspcct ^,^gf "" 

 they should face. Virgil condemned their being 

 planted looking wcst, but some have prefcrred that ceorg. 11, 

 aspect to an easterly position, while most authori- ^^^- 

 ties, I notice, approve the south; and I do not 

 think that any hard and fast rule can be laid down 

 on this point — skilled attention must be paid to the 

 nature of the soil, the character of the locality and 

 the fcatures of the particular climate. In Africa 

 for \incyards to face south is bad for the vine and 

 also unhealthy for the growcr, because thc country 

 itsclf lics under the southern quartcr of the sky, 

 and consequently he who there chooses a westcrly 

 or northcrn aspcct for planting will achieve the 

 best blending of soil with climate. When Virgil 

 condemns a western aspcct, there seems no doifbt 

 that he condemns a northern aspect also, although in 

 Italy bclow the Alps it has generally been expcri- 

 enced that no vineyards bear better than thosc so 

 situated. The wind also forms a great consideration. 

 In the province of Narbonne and in Liguria and part of 

 Tuscany it is thought to be a mistake to plant vines 



15 



