BOOK V. X. 8-1 1 



convey water through them to the roots. Set trees 

 and seedlings with roots in autumn, that is, about 

 October 15th, but plant cuttings and branches in 9 

 the early spring before the trees begin to bud ; and, 

 in order that the moth may not damage fig-tree 

 seedlings, put in the bottom of the trench a slip from 

 a mastic-tree with its top inverted. 



Do not plant a fig-tree in cold weather. It likes 

 sunny positions, where there are pebbles and gravel, 

 and sometimes also rocky places. This kind of tree 

 quickly gains strength if you make your trenches 

 roomy and wide. The various kinds of fig-tree, al- 10 

 though they differ greatly in flavour and habit, are 

 planted in the same manner, allowance being made for 

 the difference of soil. In cold places and where the 

 autumn season is wet, you should plant those whose 

 fruits ripen early, so that you may gather the fruit 

 before the rain comes ; but plant winter figs in warm 

 places. If, on the other hand, you wish to make a 

 fig-tree bear late fruit, which it does not naturally 

 do, shake down the unripe or early fruit, and it will 

 then produce another crop which it will defer to the 

 winter. Sometimes too, when the trees begin to bear 

 leaves, it is beneficial to cut off the extreme tops of 

 the fig-tree with a knife ; the trees are then sturdier 

 and more prolific. It will be always a good plan, as 

 soon as the fig-tree begins to put forth leaves, to 

 dissolve ruddle in lees of olive-oil and pour it together 

 with human ordure over the roots. This makes the 11 

 fruit more abundant and the inner part of the fig fuller 



1' farctum add. edd. ex libro de Arboribus 21, 2 : partum 

 SAac. 



93 



