BOOK IV. XXIV. 4-7 



wound than to leave a cut that is knotty and rough. 

 For by the one method it quickly forms a callus, 

 and by the other it becomes hollow and rots. 

 Then, after care has been taken of the feet, so to 5 

 speak, the legs themselves and the trunks must be 

 examined to see that no sprouting leafy shoot or 

 wart-like knob is left ; unless the vine, being cut 

 off above the frame, shall require renewal from the 

 lower part. But if the old part of the trunk is 

 dried out by the sun's blast, or if the vine is 

 hollowed out by rains and by harmful animals which 

 creep in through the pith, it will be proper to clear 

 away with the mattock any part of it that is dead ; 

 and then that it be pared down to the quick with 

 the pruning-knife, so that it may form a callus from 

 the green bark. And it is not a difficult matter, 6 

 soon after the wounds are smoothed off, to daub them 

 with earth which you have first moistened with oil 

 lees. For a daubing of this sort keeps out the wood- 

 borer and the ant, and also keeps off the sun and the 

 rains ; and because of this the wound grows together 

 more quickly and keeps the fruit green. Also the 

 dry and shaggy bark hanging along the upper parts 

 of the trunk must be peeled off down to the body ; " 

 because a vine, when rid of its rags, so to speak, 

 thrives better and imparts less of dregs to the wine. 

 Moreover, the moss which binds and compresses the 

 legs of the vines in the manner of shackles, and 

 softens them with its mouldiness and old dirt, must 

 be stripped off and scraped away with the iron. 

 This, then, for the lower part of the vine. And 7 

 likewise those directions must next be given which 

 are to be observed with reference to the head. 



" I.e. the sound bark. 



