BOOK IV. xxiii. i-xxiv. 2 



XXIII. Now, since we seem not to have said enough 

 about the pruning of vineyards, we shall set forth 

 with greater care that most necessary part of the 

 work proposed. It is proper, if a gentle and temper- 

 ate mildness of climate permits it in that region 

 which we are cultivating, to begin the pruning after 

 the Ides of October," when the vintage is finished : 

 on condition, however, that the equinoctial rains have 

 come before and that the branches have arrived at 

 their proper maturity ; for dry weather makes the 2 

 pruning later. If, however, the cold and frosty 

 state of the weather gives notice of a severe winter, 

 we shall postpone this matter to the Ides of February.* 

 And it will be permissible to do this if the measure 

 of our holding is small. For where a vast extent of 

 land denies us the choice of time, it will be proper 

 that the strongest part of the vineyard be pruned 

 in cold weather, and the weakest part in spring or 

 autumn ; indeed vines with a southern exposure may 

 be pruned even during the winter solstice, and those 

 exposed to the north wind during spring and autumn. 

 And there is no doubt that the nature of these plants 3 

 is such that the earlier they are trimmed, the more 

 wood they produce, and the later, the more fruit. 



XXIV. Therefore, at whatever time the vine-dresser 

 shall enter upon this work, he should especially 

 observe three things : first, to make fruit his 

 chief consideration ; next, to choose from the very 

 start the most fruitful wood for the following year; 

 and then, also, to make the vine-stock survive 

 through as many years as possible. For any one of 

 these that is neglected brings great loss to the 

 owner. Moreover, when the vine is trained out into 2 

 four parts, it faces the same number of quarters of 



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