500 
PLINr's I^ATFEAL HTSTOEY. [Book XYII. 
with the branches running*^ along the ground, the vine that 
stands without support,^ the vine that is propped and re- 
quires no cross-piece,^ the vine that is propped and requires 
a single cross-piece, and the vine that requires a trellis of four 
compartments.^^ The mode of cultivation requisite for the 
propped vine may be understood as equally adapted to the one 
that stands by itself and requires no support, for this last me- 
thod is only employed where there is a scarcity of wood for stays. 
The stay with the single cross-piece in a straight line is known 
by the name of canterius." It is the best of all for the 
wine, for then the tree throws no shadow, and the grape is 
ripened continuously by the sun, while, at the same time, it 
derives more advantage from the action of the wind, and dis- 
engages the dew with greater facility : the superfluous leaves 
and shoots, too, are more easily removed, and the breaking up 
of the earth and other operations about the tree are effected 
with greater facility. But, above all, by the adoption of this 
method, the tree sheds its blossoms more beneficially than 
under any other circumstances. This cross-piece is generally 
made of a stake, or a reed, or else of a rope of hair or hemp, 
as is usually the case in Spain and at Erundisium. "When the 
trellis is employed, wine is produced in greater quantities ; 
this method has its name of compluviata" from the com- 
pluvium'^ or square opening in the roofs of our houses; the 
trellis is divided into four compartments by as many cross- 
pieces. This mode of planting the vine will now be treated 
of, and it will be found equally applicable to every kind, with 
the only difference that under this last method the operation 
is somewhat more complicated. 
The vine is planted three different ways ; in a soil that has 
been turned up with the spade — the best of the three ; in fur- 
rows, which is the next best ; and in holes, the least advisable 
method of all : of the way in which ground is prepared by 
digging, we .have made sufficient mention already. (22.) In 
preparing the furrows^^ for the vine it will be quite sufficient 
7 See B. xiv. c. 4. ^ See B. xiv. c. 4. 
^ " Jugum.'* The cross-piece running along the top of the stay at, right 
angles ; a rail or trail. 
^0 " Compluviatae quadruplici." Four cross-pieces running at riglit 
angles to the prop or stay. See B. xvi. c. 68, 
^1 When these trenches and furrows are employed by the moderns, they 
