BOOK III. ir. 7-9 



And there is no doubt that the nature of some 7 

 vines is such that in the quality of their wine they 

 sometimes excel, sometimes are excelled, according 

 to their situation. The Aminean varieties " alone, 

 except where the climate is exceedingly cold, and 

 even if they decline in quality in comparison with their 

 best, are said to provide Avines of more or less true 

 taste and to surpass all other varieties in flavour. 

 Though they bear one name, they are not of the same 8 

 appearance. We know of two " sister " vines, of 

 which the smaller is earlier and better in casting 

 its blossoms and may be trained to tree and trellis *" 

 alike. On the tree it requires rich ground ; on the 

 trellis, ordinary soil. And it far surpasses the larger 

 variety by reason of its sturdier endurance of rain 

 and wind. For the larger sort is quickly spoiled in 9 

 the blossom, and more so on trellises than on trees ; 

 and on this account it is not suitable for vineyards, 

 and hardly fit for an arbustum '^ except in ground 

 that is very rich and vigorous ; for it does not thrive 

 in ordinary ground, and much less so in lean ground. 

 It is distinguished by its great amount of rank woody 

 groAvth and the large size of its leaves, clusters, and 

 berries; it is also longer fi-om joint to joint. In 

 quantity of fruit it is surpassed by the smaller 

 variety ; it is not outdone in flavour. And both 



* Lit. "yoke" (iugurn), defined by Varro (R.R. I. 8. 1) 

 as the support fastened cross-wise to the upright props 

 {pedamenta), thus forming a frame or trellis. 



' Vinea denotes the vineyard proper, in which the vines were 

 either allowed to trail along the ground or were supported 

 by frames or trained to stand upright beside props; De Arb. 

 4. 1. The arbustum was a plantation of lopped-off trees (pre- 

 ferably poplar, elm, and ash), upon which the vines were 

 trained and festooned from tree to tree; see V. 6, De Arb. 16. 



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