BOOK IV. XXII. 3-6 



less labour; for, having the soil loosened about its 

 roots in the winter time, it is satiated with dung 

 and closely pruned, and between the third and fourth 

 foot from the ground it is wounded with the sharp 

 point of an iron implement in the greenest part of the 

 bark. Then the earth is thoroughly mixed by frequent 

 digging, that the vine may be stimulated and that it 

 may have the strength to put out a shoot especially 

 from that place where it was wounded.'* Generally, 4 

 moreover, a bud grows from the scar, and if it shoots 

 out to considerable length it is allowed to grow for a 

 cane ; if rather short, for a thumb ; and if very small, 

 for a knurl. This last may be formed from any fibrous 

 growth, even the smallest. For when a twig of 

 one or two leaves has come out of the hard wood, 

 provided only it comes to maturity, it puts forth a 

 vigorous branch of firm wood the following spring, if it 

 is not trimmed away or rubbed off; and when this has 

 grown strong and has formed a sort of arm, you may 

 then cut back that part of the old branch that has 

 spread too far, and so bring under the frame that 

 part which is left. Many, aiming at the saving of 5 

 time, chop off such vines above the fourth foot, having 

 no fear of cutting them back in this way ; since, as a 

 rule, the nature of most stocks is so adapted that they 

 sprout out with new leaves close to the scar. But this 

 method is not at all pleasing to us, because a larger 

 wound, unless it has vigorous wood above which may 

 close in, is parched by the heat of the sun ; and then 

 presently it rots with the dews and the rains. Never- 6 

 theless, when a vine must in any case be cut down, it is 

 best first to loosen the dirt about it and then to make 

 the amputation a little below ground, so that the 

 soil above may ward off the violence of the sun and 



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