BOOK III. XV. 5-xvi. 2 



The same Carthaginian author approves an applica- 5 

 tion of grape-husks mixed witJi dung when the 

 plants are set in the trench, on the ground that they 

 encourage and draw out new rootlets ; saying that this 

 gives a suitable warmth to the trenches during the 

 cold and wet weather of Avinter, and supplies the 

 growing plants with nourishment and moisture in 

 summer. But if the ground to which the vine is com- 

 mitted seems to be lean, his advice is that rich soil 

 be brought from some distance and put into the 

 trenches. Whether this is profitable the annual 

 yield of the region and an estimate of the labour 

 involved will teach us. 



XVI. Trenched ground is suitable for planting 

 when it is slightly moist ; and yet it is better to 

 commit the plant to it even when diy than when it 

 is muddy. And when the plant extends several 

 joints above the upper edge of the trench, that part 

 of the top which projects above is cut off, leaving 

 only two eyes above ground, and the trench is filled 

 by throwing the earth into it. Then, after the 

 trenched ground is levelled off, the mallet-cutting is 

 to be planted between the rows of vines. It vnW be 

 sufficient to set this in a single line in the centre of 

 the space that lies vacant between the vines ; for in 2 

 this way the cutting itself wnW regain its strength 

 the better, and the ground will be left moderately 

 free for the cultivation of the plants in the rows. 

 Then, in the same line in which the quickset is 

 arrayed, five mallet-shoots are to be set for each 



* depangere M, et vulgo : depingere SAac, vett. edd. 

 i« convalescit codd. 



325 



