BOOK IV. XXX. 6-xxxi. 2 



bud, while the sHps are dormant, and it is best that 

 thev be taken from the trees when they are diy. For 

 if you cut them off when they are wet with dew, they 

 do not grow properly ; and for this reason rainy days 

 are avoided in lopping off the willows. Willow copses 

 are to be dug more frequently during the first three 

 years, as are new vineyards. Later, when they have 

 gained strength, they are satisfied with three diggings ; 

 under any other cultivation they quickly run out. 

 For, even though care is taken, very many Avillows 

 die. In their place layers should be propagated 

 from a near-by plant, by bending down and burying 

 its leaders, so that anything that has died may be 

 replaced with these. Then when the layer is a year 

 old, let it be cut loose from its stock, that it may be 

 fed by its own roots just like a vine. 



XXXI. Very dry places, w-hich do not admit copses 

 of this sort, require broom. A band of this material 

 not only has suflicient strength, but also it is very 

 pliant. The plant is raised from seed, and when it has 

 sprouted, it is either transplanted as a quickset when 

 two years old ; or, if left where sown after that time 

 has passed, it may be cut close to the ground every 

 year in the manner of standing grain. Other bindings, 

 such as those made of bramble, require greater labour, 

 but still a necessary labour in poor soil. Willow for 

 poles requires about the same land as that for withes ; 

 nevertheless it thrives better in well-watered ground. 

 And it is planted in the form of truncheons ; and when 

 it has sprouted it is made to grow as a single shaft, and 

 is frequently cultivated and weeded ; and excess foli- 

 age is removed no less than in the vine, that it may be 

 encouraged to length rather than spread of branches. 



* ramorum om. SA. 



453 



