BOOK III. XXI. 7-IO 



tarding it by close pruning. Moreover, it is of very 8 

 great importance what quarter of the heavens every 

 kind of vineyard faces. For not every kind thrives 

 in a hot situation nor, on the other hand, in a cold 

 one; but it is a peculiarity inherent in young 

 vines that some thrive exposed to the south because 

 they are better adapted to warmth, while others 

 want a northern exposure because they are damaged 

 by heat ; and certain kinds delight in the moderate 

 temperature of an eastern or western exposure. 

 One who separates the various sorts by sections has 9 

 regard to these differences as to situation and setting. 

 He also gains no small advantage in that he is put 

 to less labour and expense for the vintage ; for the 

 grapes are gathered at the proper time, as each 

 variety begins to grow ripe," and those that have 

 not yet reached maturity are left until a later time 

 without loss ; nor does the simultaneous ageing and 10 

 ripening of fruit precipitate the vintage and force 

 the hiring of more workmen, however great the cost. 

 Now this also is a great advantage, to be able to 

 preserve the flavour of every variety — not blended, 

 but true and genuine — and to put it away by itself 

 Avhether it be Biturican or Basilican or Spionian. 

 These varieties, when racked off in this fashion, 

 attain the rank of nobility, because nothing of a 

 different sort enters in to counteract their keeping 

 qualities ; for even after fifteen years or a little 



" For Columella's method of determining the ripeness 

 of grapes, see XI. 2. 67-69. 



' perpetuitati Schn. : per vetnstatem vel perpetuitate 

 Ursinus : perpetua ta.men SAa : perpetuo tamen c : per 

 potus tamen vidgo. 



347 



