BOOK IV. XV. 4-xvi. 3 



suited for the amputation of this layer than from the 

 Ides of October to the Ides of November ,« so that 

 it may strengthen its roots during the winter months. 

 For, if we do this in the spring, when the branches 

 are beginning to bud, it droops as a result of being 

 suddenly robbed of its mother's nourishment. 



XVI. The same method holds in transplanting the 

 cutting. For in the second autumn, if conditions of 

 weather and situation permit, it is taken up and 

 planted to best advantage after the Ides of October ; 

 but if some harmful quality of soil or of air opposes 

 this, the time of its planting is postponed to the next 

 spring. And it should be left no longer in the vine- 

 yards, lest it use up the strength of the soil and impair 

 the plants in the rows ; the sooner they are relieved 

 of the partnership of quicksets, the more readily do 

 they gain strength. But in a nurserv one may keep 

 a vine for three or even four years, if it is cut back or 

 closely pruned, because no thought is taken of a vin- 

 tage. When the planted vineyard has passed its 

 thirtieth month, that is in the third autumn, it must 

 be propped at once with stronger supports ; and this 

 is not to be done just as you please or in haphazard 

 fashion. For if the stake is set near the vine stock, 

 still it must be left one foot away so that it will not 

 press upon or injure the root, yet so that the digger 

 may work around the plants on every side. And this 

 stake must be so placed as to receive the fury of the 

 colds and of the north winds and so protect the vine ; 

 or if it is placed midway between the rows, it must be 

 either pushed well down or driven to a greater depth 

 bv first making a hole in the ground with a small 

 stake, so that it may more easily support both the 



» Oct. loth to Nov. 13th. 



387 



