BOOK III. XV. 2-4 



land, and even three feet in steep places. After the 

 trenches are put down to this depth, the quicksets 

 are set in such a way that they are laid flat, each by 

 itself and in opposite directions from the middle 

 of the trench, and raised upright alongside the reeds 

 at opposite ends of the ditches. But the planter's 3 

 duty is, first, to transfer the plant from the nursery 

 in as fresh condition as possible, and, if this can be 

 done, at the very moment that he wishes to plant 

 it — removing it carefully and without mutilation ; 

 then to prune it all over like an old vine, reducing 

 it to one very strong cane of firm wood and 

 smoothing off the knots and scars ; also, if any 

 roots have been injured^and especial care must 

 be taken that this does not happen in removing 

 the vine — to cut them off; and then to set out 

 the plant, bending it in such a way that the roots 

 of two vines may not be intertwined. For this is easy 

 to avoid by placing along the bottom, close to the 

 opposite sides of the trenches, a few stones whose 

 weight should not exceed five pounds each,* These 4 

 seem, as Mago records, to ward off the winter's 

 wetness and the summer's heat from the vine roots. 

 Vergil, agreeing with Mago, teaches the safeguarding 

 and strengthening of young plants in these words : 



With them you bury scaly shells or moisture- 

 drinking stone.* 



and, a little later. 



And some are found who cover them with rock 



or heavy tile, 

 Thus offering shelter 'gainst the driving rains, 



and shelter, too. 

 When sultry Dog-star splits the fields that lie 

 agape with thirst.* 



323 



