234 
Pliny's katueal histoet. 
[Book XIV. 
''Where the site is considered to be most favourable to the 
growth of the vine, and exposed to the warmth of the sun, 
you will do well to plant the smalP* Aminean, as well as the 
two eugenia/^ and the smaller helvia.^^ On the other hand, 
where the soil is of a denser nature or more exposed to fogs, 
the greater Aminean should be planted, or else the Murgen- 
tine,^*^ or the Apician of Lucania. The other varieties of the 
grape are, for the most part, adapted to any kind of soil ; they 
are best preserved in a lora.^^ The best for keeping by hang- 
ing, are the duracinus kind, the greater Aminean, and the 
Scantian;^^ these, too, will make excellent raisins for keeping 
if dried at the blacksmith's forge." There are no precepts in 
the Latin language on this subject more ancient than these, so 
near are we to the very commencement of all our practical 
knowledge ! The Aminean grape, of which mention has been 
made above, is by Yarro called the ^' Scantian." 
In our own times we have but few instances of any consum- 
mate skill that has been manifested in reference to this subject : 
the less excuse then should we have for omitting any particular 
which may tend to throw a light upon the profits that may 
be derived from the culture of the vine, a point which on all 
occasions is regarded as one of primary importance. Acilius 
Sthenelus, a man of plebeian rank, and the son of a freedman, 
acquired very considerable repute from the cultivation of a vine- 
yard in the territory of ]N"omentum, not more than sixtyjugera 
in extent, and which he finally sold for four hundred thousand 
sesterces. Vetulenus JEgialus too, a freedman as well, ac- 
quired very considerable note in the district of Liternum,^^ in 
Campania, and, indeed, received a more extensive share of 
the public favour, from the fact that he cultivated the spot 
2* Probably the first of the five that be has mentioned in c. 4. 
25 He bas only mentioned one sort in c. 4. 
26 See c. 4. 27 gee c. 4. 
28 We bave no corresponding word for tbis beverage in tbe Englisb 
language — a thin, poor liquor, made by pouring water on tbe busks and 
stalks after being fuUy pressed, allowing them to soak, pressing tbem again, 
and tben fermenting tbe liquor. It was also called *'vinum operarium," 
or labourer's wine." As stated in tbe present instance, grapes were 
sometimes stored in it for keeping. 
29 A variety of tbe Aminean, as stated below. 
30 See B. iii. c. 9. 
