BOOK XVII. x.wvi. 215-.xx.xv11. 217 



and, if it is intended to keep the grapes for raisins, 

 when the moon is on the wanc, but that those cut 

 between thc old moon and the new are immune from 

 all kinds of insects. Another theory hokls the opinion 

 that vines should be pruned by night at full moon when 

 the moon is in the Lion or Scurpion or Archer or 

 Bull ; and in general that they should be planted 

 when the moon is at full, or at all events is waxing. 

 In Italy a gang of ten farmhands is enough for a 

 hundred acres of vineyard. 



XXXVII. And having treated of the planting and nueasesof 

 cultivation of trees with sufhcient fullness, since we 'o/"'os^.^^'^''' 

 have said enouch about palms and tree-medick amonsr xiii. 26, 



1 3U ff 



foreign trees, in order that nothing may be lacking 

 a statement must be given of the other natural 

 features of great importance in relation to all these 

 raatters. For even trees are liable to attacks of 

 disease — since what created object is exempt from 

 these evils ? But forest trees at all events are said 

 not to have any deadly diseases and only to be liable 

 to damage by hail when they are budding or in flower, 

 and also to be nipped by heat or exceptionally cold 

 wind coming out of scason, for cold weather in its 

 proper season actually docs them good, as we have 

 stated. ' What then ? ' it will be said. ' Does not frost § lo- 

 kill even vines ?' VVell, that is how a fault of soil is 

 detected, because it only happens on chilly ground. 

 And consequently we approve of cold in winter time 

 that is due to the climate and not to the soik And 

 it is not the weakest trees that are endangered by 

 frost, but the largest ones, and when they are thus 

 attacked it is their tops that dry away first, because 

 the sap has been congealed and has not been able 

 to get there. 



