472 
pliny's natural histoet. 
[Book XYII. 
is the best plan to give the roots a bent position, but it is abso- 
lutely necessar}^ that the tree should be placed in such a manner 
as to occupy exactly the centre of the hole. The fig-tree, 
if the slip when planted is stuck in a squilP'^ — such being the 
name of a species of bulb — is said to bear with remarkable 
rapidity, while the fruit is exempt from all attacks of the 
worm : the same precaution, too, in planting, will preserve 
the fruit of all other trees in a similar manner. Who is 
there, too, that can entertain a doubt that the very greatest 
care ought to be taken of the roots of the fig-tree when trans- 
planted ? — indeed, it ought to bear every mark of being taken, 
and not torn, from out of the earth. Upon this subject I omit 
various other practical precepts, such, for instance, as the ne- 
cessity of moulding up the roots with a rammer, a thing that 
Cato^^ looks upon as of primary importance ; while, at the 
same time, he recommends that the wound made in the stock 
should be first covered with dung, and then bound with a 
layer of leaves.^* 
CHAP. 17. (12.) THE INTEKVALS TO BE LEFT BETWEEN TEEES. 
The present seems to me to be the proper occasion for making 
some mention of the intervals^^ that ought to be left between 
the trees. Some persons have recommended that pomegra- 
nates, m^nrtles, and laurels should be planted closer together than 
the other trees, leaving, however, a space of nine feet between 
them. Apple-trees, they say, should be planted a little wider 
apart, and pear-trees, almonds, and figs even still more so. 
The best rule, however, is to consult the length of the branches, 
and the nature of the spot, as well as the shade that is formed 
by the tree ; for it is of great importance to take this last into 
consideration. The shadow thrown by the large trees even is 
but of small dimensions, when the branches are disposed around 
82 See B. xix. c, 30. A somewhat similar practice is also recommended 
in B. XV. c. 18 ; but, of course, as Fee remarks, it can lead to no results. 
83 Be Ee Eust. 28. _ 
8i Fee remarks that this is a useful precaution, more particularly in the 
case of the coniferous trees, the fig, and others that are rich in juice ; hut 
if universally used, would be attended with great expense. The French 
use for the purpose a mixture of fresh earth and cow-dung, to which they 
give the name of " origuent Saint-Fiacre." Sjgc p. 481. 
85 This is from Theophrastus, Hist. Plant, ii. 7. The question, how- 
ever, depends entirely upon the nature of the tree, the quality of the soil, 
and various other considerations, as Pliny himself admits. 
