SilvicuUural Knowledge. 19 



This planting of vine supports was done with saplings 

 of elm, poplar and some other species ; by pollarding and 

 by a well devised system of pruning these were gradually 

 prepared and maintained in proper form for their pur- 

 pose. 



The coppice seems to have been systematically man- 

 aged in Attica as well as in Italy in regular fellings; 

 the mild climate producing sprouts and root suckers 

 readily without reqxiiring much care, even conifers 

 (cypress and fir) reproducing in this manner. 



The oak coppice was managed in 7 year rotation, the 

 chestnut in 5 year, and the willow in 3 year rotation. 



Yield and profitableness are discussed, and the prac- 

 tice of thinnings is known, but only for the purpose of 

 removing and using the dead material. 



Forest protection was poorly developed: of insects 

 little, of fungi no knowledge existed. Hand-picking 

 was applied against caterpillars, also ditches into which 

 the beetles were driven and then covered; the use of 

 hogs in fighting insects was also known. That goats 

 were undesirable in the woods had been observed. Some 

 remarkably precocious physiological knowledge or 

 rather philosophy existed: it was recognized that 

 frost produces drought and that a remedy is to loosen 

 the soil, aerating the roots, to drain or water as the case 

 might require, and to prune; but also sap letting was 

 prescribed. Against hail hang up dead owls; against 

 ants, which were deemed injurious, ashes with vinegar 

 were to be applied, or else an ass's heart. 



Curiosities in wood technology were rife and many 

 contradictions among the wood sharps existed, as in our 

 times. Only four elements, earth, water, fire, air, com- 



