BOOK IV. XXVIII. 2-xxix. 2 



content with three diggings ; " among whom is 

 Graecinus, who speaks as follows: " It may seem 

 sufficient to dig an established vineyard three times." 

 Celsus, too, and Atticus agree that there are three 

 natural impulses in a vine, or rather in every branch : 

 one which makes it sprout, another which makes it 

 bloom, and the third which makes it ripen. These 

 impulses, then, they think are stimulated by dig- 

 gings : for nature does not sufficiently accomplish 

 her purpose unless you diligently give her the 

 benefit of your efforts. And this attention to the 

 cultivating of vineyards comes to an end with the 

 vintage. 



XXIX. I return now to that part of my discussion 

 in which I promised directions for the grafting of 

 vines and protecting the grafts. Julius Atticus has 

 said that the time for grafting is from the Calends 

 of November to the Calends of June, up to which 

 time he asserts that a scion can be kept without 

 sprouting. And by that we should understand that 

 no part of the year is excepted if we have a supply of 

 dormant twigs. Furthermore, I would freely grant 

 that this could be done in other kinds of stock that 

 have stronger and sappier bark. In the case of 2 

 vines, one thing it is not in keeping with my hon- 

 esty to conceal — that it is exceedingly rash to allow 

 husbandmen to graft during so many months ; 

 not that I am unaware that a vine grafted in the 

 dead of winter sometimes takes hold. But we 

 should instruct learners, not what may come about 

 by chance in one or two experiments, but what com- 

 monly occurs under a definite system. For if the 

 risk is to be taken with a small number, in whose 

 case greater care makes amends for rashness, I can 



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