Chap. 31.] CLEANING AND BARING THE BOOTS. 491 
such, for instance, as the fig and the olive. In accordance 
with this plan, he recommends that a fi.g-tree should be planted 
near an olive, at a distance sufficiently near to admit of the fig 
being touched by a branch of the olive when extended to its 
full length ; as supple and pliant a one as possible beiug selected 
for the purpose, and due care being taken all the time to 
render it seasoned by keeping it constantly on the stretch. 
After this, when the fig has gained sufficient vigour, a thing 
that generally happens at the end of three or five years at 
most, the top of it is cut ofif, the end of the olive branch being 
also cut to a point in the manner already stated. This 
point is then to be inserted in the trunk of the fig, and made 
secure with cords, lest, being bent, it should happen to rebound : 
in this way we find the method of propagating by layers com- 
bined with that of grafting. This union between the two pa- 
rent trees is allowed to continue for three years, and then in 
the fourth the branch is cut away and left entirely upon the 
tree that has so adopted it. This method however, is not 
at present universally known, at all events, so far as I have 
been able to ascertain. 
CHAP. 31. CLEANING AND EAEING TH?: EOOTS, AND MOULDING 
THEM. 
In addition to these particulars, the same considerations 
that I have already°^ mentioned in reference to warm or cold, 
moist or dry soils, have also taught us the necessity of trench- 
ing around the roots. These trenches, however, in a moist, 
watery soil, should be neither wide nor deep ; while the con- 
trary is the case where the ground is hot and dry ; it being the 
object, in the latter instance, to let them receive and retaifi as 
fiauch water as possible. This rule is applicable to the culture 
of old trees as well ; for in very hot places the roots are well 
moulded in summer, and carefully covered up, to prevent the 
heat of the sun from parching them. In other places, again, 
the ground is cleared away from the roots, in order to give free 
access to the air, while in winter they are carefully moulded 
to protect them from the frost. The contrary is the case, how- 
ever, in hot climates, for there they bare the roots in winter 
8« In c. 24 of this Book. 
^3 All the precepts given in this Chapter have been already given in cc. 
S and 4 of the present Book. 
