BOOK III. XI. 5-8 



there is clean fallow, free from trees, we must consider 

 before working it whether or not the land is suitable 

 for young vine-shoots ; and this is most easily dis- 

 covered through the sprouts that come up of their 

 own accord. For there is no soil so destitute of 

 shrubs as not to produce some shoots, such as 

 wild pears and plums or at least brambles ; for even 

 though these are varieties of thorns, still it is their 

 common habit to grow up strong and thrifty and 

 heavy with fruit. Therefore, if we observe that they 6 

 are not shrivelled and scaly, but smooth and bright, 

 tall and prolific, then we shall know that the ground 

 is suitable for young shoots. 



But in the matter of what is especially suited to 

 vines, this point in general deserves special con- 

 sideration, as I have stated before, if the soil is 

 easily worked and moderately loose in texture — 

 what we have said is called pulla ; not because such 

 soil alone is proper for vineyards, but because it is 

 especially so. For who, though he be but an 7 

 ordinary farmer, does not know that even the hard- 

 est tufa or toph-stone, once it is broken in pieces 

 and thrown up on the surface, is softened and loosened 

 by storms and cold no less than by summer's heat ; 

 and that during hot weather it is very effective in 

 cooling the roots of the vines and in holding moisture 

 — conditions most suitable for the nourishing of the 

 young shoot ? And that for a Uke reason free gravel, 

 pebbly ground, and loose stones are approved.'' on 

 condition, however, that they are mixed with fat 

 soil, for they meet with the greatest disapproval in 

 lean ground. Moreover, the flint-stone also, in my 8 



* euinque SAacM, vett. edd. : eosque Aid., Gesn., Schn. 



