Chap. 2.] 
THE INFLUEIS^CE OF WEATHER OK TEEES. 441 
affect any scrupulous exactness in cases where there is no 
necessity for it, will be no part of our purpose. In the first 
place, however, we will consider in a general point of view, 
those influences of soil as well as weather which are exercised 
upon all the trees in common. 
CHAP. 2. (2.) THE INFLUENCE or WEATHER UPON THE TEEES : 
WHAT IS THE PHOPEK SITUATION FOK THE VINE. 
Trees are fond of a site more particularly that faces the 
north-east the breezes rendering their foliage more thick and 
exuberant, and imparting additional solidity to the wood. This 
is a point, however, upon which most people are very greatly 
deceived ; thus in vineyards, for instance, the props ought not 
to be placed in such a position as to shelter the stems from the 
wind in that quarter, it being only against the northern blasts 
that this precaution should be taken. K^ay, even more than this 
— if the cold weather only comes on in due season, it contributes 
very materially to the strengthening of the trees, and promotes 
the process of germination ; while, on the other hand, if at that 
period the southern breezes should caress them, they will grow 
weak and languid, and more particularly so, if the blossom is 
just coming on. If rainy weather, too, should happen to 
follow close upon blossoming, the total destruction of the fruit 
is the necessary result : indeed, if the weather should be only 
cloudy, or south winds happen to prevail, it is quite sufficient 
to ensure the loss of the fruit in the almond and the pear.^^ 
Eains, if prevalent about the rising of the Vergilise,^^ are most 
injurious to the vine and the olive, as it is at that season that 
germination^'^ is commencing with them ; indeed, this is a most 
12 Or north north-east, as Fee says. He adds that this aspect in re- 
ality is not favourable to vegetation. Pliny commits the error of copying 
exactly from Theophrastus, and thereby giving advice to Roman agricul- 
turists, which was properly suited to the climate of Greece only. 
1^ This is borrowed from Theophrastus ; hut, as Fee remarks, if suitable 
to the climate of Greece, it is not so to that of Italy or France, where 
vegetation is much more promoted by a south wind. 
11 This assertion, Fee gays, is erroneous. See B. xvi. c. 46. 
15 B. xviii. c. 66. 
1^ See c. 30 of this Book. These notions as to critical periods to plants 
connected with the constellations, Fee says, are now almost dispelled j 
though they still prevail in France, to some extent. 
1^ Coitus." See B. xvi. cc. 39 and 42. 
