BOOK IV. XVI. 3-xvii. 2 



trellis and the fruit. For the closer a prop is set to 

 the stock, even when lightly fixed in the ground, the 

 steadier it is ; since, by standing close to the vine, it 

 both supports and is supported in turn. Then stronger 4 

 cross-bars are to be bound to the standards ; and 

 these are made either of willow rods or of several 

 reeds tied in some sort of bundles to give them 

 stiffness, so that they may not be bent by the weight 

 of the fruit. For now two firm wood branches must 

 be allowed to grow on each plant ; unless, however, 

 the slenderness of some vine requires a closer pruning, 

 in which case only one branch is to be left and that 

 containing few eyes. 



XVII. A frame of rods is stronger and requires less 

 work. Reeds are put together with greater labour, 

 because they are tied in several places. And these 

 must be bound with their tops turned, one opposite to 

 another, so that the whole frame may be of equal 

 thickness ; for if the tops come together, the weakness 

 of that part, when burdened with weight, throws the 

 fruit to the ground just as it ripens and exposes it to 

 dogs and wild animals. But when a frame is duly 2 

 constructed of several reeds tied in bundles, with their 

 tops in alternating order, it gives about five years of 

 service. 



Nor, indeed, is the method of pruning or other 

 culture different from that of the first two years. 

 For ablaqueation ** must be carefully done in the 

 autumn, and new layers must be applied to the vacant 

 props none the less ; for this work must never be 

 discontinued but should be renewed every year. 



« Cf. IV. 4. 2, note. 



' alia est acM, om. SA : est alia vulgo. 



389 



