BOOK IV. XXX. 2-6 



of vineyard,'' and one iugerum of reed thicket 

 for framing twenty ; and that a iugerum planted with 

 chestnut trees is enough to provide as many props as 

 a ewgerwjnofreeds can furnish with cross-rails. Ground 3 

 that is either well watered or abounding in marsh- 

 land is best for nourishing the willow, and yet level 

 and rich ground is not unsuitable. And this ground 

 should be turned with the double spade ; for the 

 ancients direct us to trench ground intended for a 

 willow-bed to a depth of two and one-half feet. And 

 it makes no difference what kind of osier you plant, 

 if only it is very pliant. Still they think that there 4 

 are chiefly three kinds of willows : ^ the Greek, the 

 Galhc, and the Sabine, which most people call the 

 Amerine. The Greek is of a yellow colour; the 

 Gallic of a dingy purple, and with very slender 

 switches ; and the Amerine has a slim and reddish 

 rod. And either top-shoots or truncheons of these 

 are planted. Top rods of moderate stoutness, which, 

 however, should not exceed the thickness of a circular 

 two-pound weight,*^ are best planted if they are put 

 down as far as solid ground. Truncheons of one and 5 

 one-half feet are stuck into the earth and covered over 

 with a little of it. A well-watered spot requires wider 

 spaces, and spaces of six feet in the quincunx arrange- 

 ment do very well ; a place that is normally dry needs 

 closer planting, but in such a way as to give easy access 

 to those who cultivate it. In this case it is satisfactory 

 that the distance between rows be five feet, yet so 

 that the plants may stand at two-foot intervals in the 

 line of planting, alternating with empty spaces be- 

 tween. The time for planting them is before they 6 



' Probably in the form of a rod or bar, an old Roman unit 

 of weight. 



451 



