BOOK XVII. II. 21-24 



in a position directly facing a west-north-west wind, 

 but at thc same time to be a wise arrangement to let 

 them catch the wind from that quarter sideways, 

 because it moderates the heat of summer in those 

 regions, although it usually blows with such violence as 

 to carrj' away the roofs of houses. Some people make 

 the question of aspect depend on the nature of the 

 soil, letting ^ines planted in dry situations face east 

 and north and those in a damp one south. Moreover, 

 they borrow rules from the vines themselves, by plant- 

 ing early varieties in cold situations, so that their 

 ripening mav come before the cold w eather, and fruit- 

 trees and vines that dislike dew, \vith an eastern 

 aspect, so that the sun may carry off the moisture at 

 once,but those that Uke dew, facing west or even north, 

 so that they may enjoy it for a longer time. But the 

 rest, virtually following Nature's system, have recom- 

 mended that vines and trees should be placed so as to 

 face north-east ; and Democritus is of opinion that 

 the fruit so grown also has more scent. We have 

 dealt in Book Two with positions facing north-east and il. 119. 

 the other quarters, and we shall give more meteoro- 

 logical details in the next Book. In the meantime f ^ii- 

 a clear test of the healthiness of the aspect seems to "' 

 lie in the fact that trees facing south are alwavs the 

 first to shed their leaves. A similar influence also 

 operates in maritinie districts : sea breezes are in- 

 jurious in sonie places, wliile at the same tinie in most 

 places they encourage growth ; and some plants like 

 having a distant view of the sea but are not benefited 

 by being moved nearer to its sahne exhalations. A 

 similar principle applies also to rivers and marshes : 

 they shrivel up vegetation by their mists or else they 

 serve to coul excessively hot districts. The trees 



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