BOOK IV. xvii. 3-5 



Surely those things that are planted by our hands 3 

 cannot be immortal ; and yet we take such thought 

 for their permanence that we set other plants in place 

 of those that have died, and do not allow the whole 

 genus to be brought to destruction through many 

 years of neglect. Moreover, frequent diggings '^ must 

 be given, although one may be subtracted from the 

 number of the first year's cultivation. Leaf-pruning 

 also must be practised often ; for it does not suffice 

 to remove excess leafage from the vine only once or 

 twice in a whole summer. And especially must 4 

 eveiything be broken off which has sprouted out below 

 the head of the main stem. Likewise if any single 

 eyes just below the frame should put out two shoots, 

 even though they give evidence of an abundance of 

 fruit, one branch must be pulled oft' from each, so that 

 the remaining branch of strong wood may make more 

 vigorous growth and better nourish the fruit that 

 is left. 



After the forty-second month, when the vintage 

 has been gathered, the pruning must be so managed, 

 by allowing the growth of more shoots, that the vine 

 may be spread out in the form of a star.* But it is 5 

 the duty of the pruner to check the vine at a distance 

 of about one foot short of the cross-bar, so that any 

 tender growth that is sent out from the head may be 

 dra^^Tl out in the form of arms and that, after being 

 bent over the frame, it may be dropped down to a 

 length which cannot reach the ground. But a limit 

 must be observed in proportion to the strength of the 

 stock, that no more branches may be allowed to grow 

 than the vine is able to support. And in general, 

 when the soil is fertile and the stock thrifty, the afore- 



" Cf. IV. 28. 2. ' See IV. 26. 3. 



391 



