BOOK IV. XXV. i-xxvi. I 



called the sinus or " bend " ; that which runs on from 

 the curve is the scalpruin or " paring-edge " ; the hook 

 which comes next is called the rostrum or " beak," 

 and the figure of the half-moon above it is called the 

 securis or " hatchet " ; and the spike-like part which 

 projects straight forward from it is called the 

 mucro or " point." Each of these parts performs 

 its own peculiar tasks, if only the vine-dresser is skil- 

 ful in using them. For when he is to cut something 

 with a thrust of the hand away from him, he uses 

 the culter ; when he is to draw it toward him, he uses 

 the si?ius ; when he wishes to smoothe something, 

 he uses the scalprum, or, to hollow it out, the rostrum ; 

 when he is to cut something with a blow, he uses 

 the securis ; and when he wants to clear away some- 

 thing in a narrow place, he makes use of the vmcro. 

 But the greater part of the work in a vineyard must 

 be done by dra^ving the knife toward you rather than 

 by hacking ; for the wound which is made in this way 

 is smoothed with one impression, since the pruner 

 first puts the knife in place and so cuts off what he 

 has intended to cut. One who attacks the vine by 

 chopping, if he misses his aim, as often happens, 

 wounds the stock with many blows. Therefore that 

 pruning is safer and more advantageous which, as I 

 have said, is accomplished by the dramng of the 

 knife and not by striking. 



XXVI. When this is finished there follows, as I have 

 said before," the matter of propping and trellising the 

 vineyard.* And for giving firmness to this the stake 

 is better than the pole, and that not any stake you 

 please ; for chief of all is the olive tree split with 

 wedges, the oak and the cork tree, and any other 

 wood of Uke strength. The romad prop holds third 



427 



