Of the cultivation of trees.
VII. [1]As to cultivation and tendance some requirements apply equally to all trees, some are peculiar to one. Those which apply equally to all are spadework watering and manuring, and moreover pruning and removal of dead wood. But different trees differ in the degree. Some love moisture and manure, some not so much, as the cypress,[2] which[3] is fond neither of manure nor of water, but actually dies, they say, if it is overwatered when young. But the pomegranate and vine are water-loving. The fig grows more vigorously if it is watered, but then its fruit is inferior, except in the case of the Laconian variety, which is water-loving.[4]
[5]All trees require pruning; for they are improved by removal of the dead wood, which is, as it were, a foreign body, and prevents growth and nourishment. Wherefore when the (tree)[6] becomes old, they cut off all its boughs: for then the tree breaks afresh. Androtion[7] says that the myrtle and olive need more pruning than any other trees; for the smaller you leave them, the better they will grow, and they will bear better fruit. But the vine of course needs pruning even more; for it is in the case of this tree[8] more necessary for promoting both growth and fruitfulness. However, speaking generally, both this and other kinds of tendance must be suited to the particular natural character in each case.
Androtion further says that the olive the myrtle and the pomegranate require the most pungent manure and the heaviest watering, as well as the most thorough pruning, for that then they do not get 'softwood'[9] nor any disease underground; but when the tree is old, he adds, one should cut off the boughs, and then attend to the stem as though it were a tree just planted. Thus[10] treated they say that the myrtle and olive are longer lived and very robust. These statements might be a subject for further enquiry, or, if not all of them, at least what is stated of the 'softwood.'
Manure does not suit all alike, nor is the same manure equally good for all. Some need it pungent, some less so, some need it quite light. The most pungent is human dung: thus Chartodras[11] says the best, pig-manure being second to it, goat-manure third, fourth that of sheep, fifth that of oxen, and sixth that of beasts of burden.[12] Litter manure is of different kinds and is applied in various ways: some kinds are weaker, some stronger.
Spade-work is held to be beneficial to all trees, and also hoeing for the smaller ones, as they then become more vigorous. Even dust[13] is thought to fertilise some things and make them flourish, for instance the grape; wherefore they often put dust to the roots of the vine. Some also dig in dust about the figs in places where it is deficient.[14] In Megara, when the etesian winds are past, they cover the cucumber and gourd plants with dust by raking, and so make the fruits sweeter and tenderer by not watering. On this point there is general agreement. But some say that dust should not be put to the vine,[15] and that it should not be meddled with at all when the grape is turning, or, if at all, only when it has turned black. Some again say that even then nothing should be done except to pluck up the weeds. So on this point there is a difference of opinion.
[16]If a tree does not bear fruit but inclines to a leafy growth, they split that part of the stem which is underground and insert a stone corresponding[17] to the crack thus made, and then, they say, it will bear. The same result follows, if one cuts off some of the roots, and accordingly they thus treat the surface roots of the vine when it runs to leaf. In the case of figs, in addition to root-pruning,[18] they also sprinkle ashes about the tree, and make gashes in the stems, and then, they say, it bears better. [19]Into the almond tree they drive an iron peg, and, having thus made a hole, insert in place a peg of oak-wood and bury it[20] in the earth, and some call this 'punishing' the tree, since its luxuriance is thus chastened.
Some do the same with the pear and with other trees. In Arcadia they have a similar process which is called 'correcting' the sorb (for that tree is common in that country). And they say that under this treatment those trees that would not bear do so, and those that would not ripen their fruit now ripen[21] them well. [22]It is also said that the almond becomes sweet, instead of bitter, if one digs round the stem and, having bored a hole about a palms-breadth, allows the gum which exudes from all sides[23] to flow down into it and collect. The object of this would be alike to make the tree bear and to improve the fruit.
- ↑ Plin. 17. 246.
- ↑ Plin. 17. 247.
- ↑ ἥπερ conj. W. from G; ὥσπερ Ald.
- ↑ cf. C.P. 3. 6. 6.
- ↑ Plin. 17. 248.
- ↑ Name of tree missing. Sch.
- ↑ cf. C.P. 3. 10. 4.
- ↑ ταύτῃ conj. W,; ταύτης Ald.
- ↑ i.e effete sap-wood.
- ↑ οὕτω conj. W.; οἱ Ald.
- ↑ Name perhaps corrupt.
- ↑ Lit. 'bushy tails,' i.e. horses asses mules.
- ↑ cf. C.P. 3. 16. 3.
- ↑ δεῖ ins. H; so apparently G read.
- ↑ δεῖν ὑποκονίειν οὐδ᾽ ὅλως conj. W. (so Sch., but keeping [ἢ] after δεῖν); δεῖν ἢ ὑποκινιεῖν οὐδ᾽ ὅλως UMV; δεῖν ἢ ὑποκονιεῖν ἢ ὅλως Ald.
- ↑ Plin. 17. 253 and 254.
- ↑ ὄπως ἂν ῥαγῇ Ald.: so G; ? ὅπου; ὅπως ὰνεώγῃ conj. W. cf. Geop. 5. 35.
- ↑ Plin. l.c.
- ↑ cf. 2. 2. 11; C.P. 1. 17. 10; 2. 14. 1; Plin. 7. 253.
- ↑ The operation being performed at the base of the tree. cf. ß 7.
- ↑ ἐκπέττειν conj. R. Const.; εἰσπέττεν UMAld.
- ↑ Plin. 17. 252.
- ↑ τὸ παντάχοθεν conj. W.; παντάχοθεν τὸ MSS.; so apparently G. cf. C.P. 2. 14. 3.