Chapter 469

2816B. xviii. c. 66.

2817See c.30of this Book. These notions as to critical periods to plants connected with the constellations, Fée says, are now almost dispelled; though they still prevail in France, to some extent.

2818“Coitus.” See B. xvi. cc.39and42.

2819See B. xvi. c.46.

2820From Theophrastus, De Causis, B. ii. c. 1.

2821He alludes to the words of Virgil, Georg. i. 100:—“Humida solstitia, atque hiemes orate serenas,Agricolæ; hiberno lætissima pulvere farra.”Fée remarks, that the cultivators of the modern times are more of the opinion of the poet than the naturalist.

2821He alludes to the words of Virgil, Georg. i. 100:—

“Humida solstitia, atque hiemes orate serenas,Agricolæ; hiberno lætissima pulvere farra.”

“Humida solstitia, atque hiemes orate serenas,

Agricolæ; hiberno lætissima pulvere farra.”

Fée remarks, that the cultivators of the modern times are more of the opinion of the poet than the naturalist.

2822Because rains would cause the young fruit to fall off. He here attacks the first portion of the precepts of Virgil; but only, it appears, in reference to the vine.

2823“Lactescentibus.” Fée remarks on the appropriateness of this expression, as the act of germination, he says, in the cereals and all the seeds in which the perisperm is feculent, changes the fecula into an emulsive liquid, in which state the seed may be said, with Pliny, to be “lactescent.”

2824Which appears to have been extensively done with the young garden trees.

2825Georg. ii. 398.

2826Taken altogether, a southern aspect is preferable to all others.

2827See B. ii. c. 46.

2828Cc.46and47.

2829He seems to lose sight of the fact that theybudbefore those that look to the north.

2830B. xvi. cc.30,31.

2831A rich black mould, probably.

2832A ferruginous argilla.

2833It must of necessity denote a soil rich in humus, though not, of course, adapted for all kinds of cultivation.

2834He alludes to the difficulty with which argilla, from its tenacity, is employed in cultivation.

2835Columella says the contrary, and so does Virgil, Georg. ii. 226, speaking of this fact as a method of ascertaining the respective qualities of the earth.

2836Virgil, Georg. ii. 220, says the contrary.

2837In allusion to what Virgil says, Georg. ii. 254:—“Quæ gravis est, ipso tacitam se pondere prodit,Quæque levis——”Fée remarks, however, that it is easy enough to analyse the earth, and ascertain the proportions of humus, and of the siliceous, cretaceous, or argillaceous earths; the relative proportions of which render it strong or light, as the case may be.

2837In allusion to what Virgil says, Georg. ii. 254:—

“Quæ gravis est, ipso tacitam se pondere prodit,Quæque levis——”

“Quæ gravis est, ipso tacitam se pondere prodit,

Quæque levis——”

Fée remarks, however, that it is easy enough to analyse the earth, and ascertain the proportions of humus, and of the siliceous, cretaceous, or argillaceous earths; the relative proportions of which render it strong or light, as the case may be.

2838As Fée says, these earths vary according to the nature of the soils that are brought down by the streams; in general, however, they are extremely prolific.

2839Fée says that Pliny is here guilty of some degree of exaggeration. See B. iii. c. 9, p. 195 of Vol. 1: also B. xviii. c. 29.

2840“Tophus;” formed of volcanic scoriæ. Fée remarks, that it is somewhat similar in nature to marl, and that though unproductive by itself, it is beneficial when mixed with vegetable earth. Tufa and marl appear to have been often confounded by the ancient writers.

2841Georg. ii. 189.

2842The Pteris aquilina of the modern botanists.

2843Marine salt, or sub-hydrochlorate of soda, Fée thinks, is here alluded to. It is still used with varied success in some parts of the west of France.

2844Hardouin says, that he here alludes to the proverbial saying among the ancients, “Perflare altissima ventos”—“The winds blow only on the most elevated ground.”

2845In B. xiv. cc.4and12.

2846“Emisso.” Fée would appear to think that the lake suddenlymade its appearance, after an earthquake, and from the context he would appear to be right. These accounts are all of them borrowed from Theophrastus.

2847See B. v. c. 36.

2848See B. xv. c.2.

2849See B. xiv. c.8.

2850See B. xiv. c.8.

2851See B. iii. c. 9.

2852See B. iii. c. 17.

2853Sumen. Properly, “udder.” A cow’s udder was considered one of the choicest of delicacies by the Romans.

2854This is, of course, an exaggeration. The stake must have been driven in very deep to disappear so speedily.

2855De Re Rust. 5.

2856This he says in reference to his belief, with Epicurus, in the eternity of matter.

2857De Re Rust. 1.

2858See B. iii. c. 6.

2859De Re Rust. 151.

2860“Pulla.” The “vegetable” earth of modern botanists.

2861“Teneram.”

2862Iliad, xviii. 541 and 548.

2863Vulcan.

2864De Oratore, sec. 39.

2865See B. xiii. c.4.

2866“Sapiunt,” rather than “redolent.”

2867This supposed flavour of the earth is, in reality, attributable to the extraneous vegetable matter which it contains.

2868See B. xii. c.52, as to this notion.

2869The reason being, that in such cases the soil is saturated with thyme, origanum, mint, and other odoriferous herbs.

2870This opinion is contrary to that expressed by Columella, B. ii. c. 1; but the justice of it is universally recognized. Upon this theory, too, is based the modern practice of alternating the crops in successive years, the necessity of providing for heavy rents, not allowing the land to enjoy absolute rest.

2871This has not come to pass even yet, nearly two thousand years since the days of Pliny.

2872See B. v. c. 3, and B. xviii. c. 21.

2873Fée taxes our author here with exaggeration. For Byzacium, see B. v. c. 3, and B. xviii. c. 21.

2874Nevertheless, as Fée remarks, the method is often practised with great success. Pliny is at issue here with Theophrastus, De Causis, B. iii. c. 25.

2875A natural mixture of argilla and calcareous stones, or subcarbonate of chalk. Fée remarks, that the ancients were not acquainted with the proper method of applying it. Marl only exercises its fertilizing influence after being reduced to dust by the action of the atmosphere, by absorbing the oxygen of the air, and giving to vegetation the carbonic acid that is necessary for their nourishment.

2876“White argilla.” This, Fée thinks, is the calcareous marl, three varieties of which are known, the compact, the schistoid, and the friable.

2877At the present day there are only two varieties of marl recognized, the argillaceous and the calcareous; it is to the latter, Fée thinks, that the varieties here mentioned as anciently recognized, belonged.

2878The Marga terrea of Linnæus. It abounds in various parts of Europe.

2879From the Greek, meaning “not bitter marl.”

2880Marl does not begin to fertilize till several years after it has been laid down; hence, it is generally recommended to marl the land a little at a time, and often. If the ground is fully marled, it requires to be marled afresh in about eight or ten years, and not fifty, as Pliny says.

2881“Argentaria.” Used, probably, in the same way as whitening in modern times. See B. xxxv. c. 58.

2882An exaggeration, no doubt.

2883Probably meaning “smooth marl;” a variety, Fée thinks, of argillaceous marl, and, perhaps, the potter’s argillaceous marl, or potter’s argil. He suggests, also that it may have possibly been the Marga fullonum saponacea lamellosa of Valerius; in other words, fullers’ earth.

2884Creta fullonia.

2885See B. xxxv. c. 46.

2886This would rather seem to be a name borrowed from the Greek,αἰγλήεις, “shining,” andπελιὸς, “white.” Notwithstanding the resemblance, however, it is just possible that it may have been derived from the Gallic. Fée queries whether this is the schistoid calcareous marl, or the schistoid argillaceous marl, the laminæ of which divide with great facility, and the varieties of which display many colours.

2887A variety of the terreous marl.

2888It has the effect of augmenting their fruitfulness, and ameliorating the quality of the fruit. Lime is still considered an excellent improver for strong, humid soils.

2889From this passage, Fée thinks that the Columbine marl must have been of the white, slightly sparkling kind.

2890Though ashes fertilize the ground, more particularly when of an argillaceous nature, they are not so extensively used now as in ancient times. Pliny alludes here more particularly to wood and dunghill ashes.

2891This, however, he omits to do.

2892He alludes, probably, to Theophrastus, De Causis, B. iii. c. 22.

2893Odyssey xxiv. 225.

2894From “stercus,” “dung.” A fabulous personage, most probably.

2895De Re Rust. i. 38.

2896De Re Rust. ii. 15.

2897Mixed with other manures, it is employed at the present day in Normandy.

2898This manure is still extensively employed in Flanders, Switzerland, and the vicinity of Paris. In the north of England it is mixed with ashes, and laid on the fields. There was an old prejudice, that vegetation grown with it has a fetid odour, but it has for some time been looked upon as exploded.

2899Or urine. In the vicinity of Paris, a manure is employed called urate, of which urine forms the basis.

2900Fée seems to think that this passage means that the bad smell of urine is imparted to it by the wine that is drunk. It is difficult to say what could have been the noxious qualities imparted by wine to urine as a manure, and Pliny probably would have been somewhat at a loss to explain his meaning.

2901In lapse of time, if exposed to the air, it is reduced to the state of humus or mould.

2902Consisting of lime mixed with vegetable ashes.

2903De Re Rust. i. 38.

2904“Herbas.” This would appear to mean grass only here; though Fée seems to think that it means various kinds of herbs.

2905This method is sometimes adopted in England with buckwheat, trefoil, peas, and other leguminous plants; and in the south of France lupines are still extensively used in the same manner, after the usage of the ancient Romans here described. The French also employ, but more rarely, for the same purpose, the large turnip, vetches, peas, trefoil, Windsor beans, sanfoin, lucerne, &c.; but it is found a very expensive practice.

2906De Re Rust. 37.

2907“Frondam putidam.” Fée thinks that this expression is used in reference to the “ebulum,” dane-wort, wall-wort, or dwarf-elder, previously mentioned.

2908“Concidito.” Sillig adopts the reading “comburito,” “burn the shoots, and dig in, &c.” But in the original the word is “concidito.”

2909De Re Rust. 30.

2910This is still extensively practised in England and France, and other countries. The azote, even, that exhales from the bodies of the animals, is supposed to have a fertilizing influence, to say nothing of the dung, grease of the body, and urine.

2911De Re Rust. 37.

2912“Exsugunt,” “suck up,” or “drain,” is one reading in Cato; and it is not improbable that it is the correct one.

2913Georg. i. 77, 78:“Urit enim lini campum seges, urit avenæ,Urunt Lethæo perfusa papavera somno.”

2913Georg. i. 77, 78:

“Urit enim lini campum seges, urit avenæ,Urunt Lethæo perfusa papavera somno.”

“Urit enim lini campum seges, urit avenæ,

Urunt Lethæo perfusa papavera somno.”

2914Fée is of opinion, that, with reference to this branch of agriculture, the ancients displayed more skill and intelligence than the moderns.

2915This absurdity is copied from Varro and Columella.

2916I. e.in the early part of spring. In modern times, the period for manuring varies, according to the usage of different localities, being practised in all the four seasons of the year, according to the crops, weather, and climate.

2917See B. xvi. c.58.

2918The palm is grown in Africa from shoots thrown out from the axillæ of the leaves; and it is in this circumstance, Fée thinks, that the story told by Trogus must have originated. Some of the ferns throw out adventitious buds from the summit of the leaf, and the orange tree and some others occasionally have them at the base of the leaf.

2919Virgil says, Georgics ii. 14:“Pars autem posito surgunt de semine; ut altæCastaneæ, nemorumque Jovi quæ maxime frondet.”

2919Virgil says, Georgics ii. 14:

“Pars autem posito surgunt de semine; ut altæCastaneæ, nemorumque Jovi quæ maxime frondet.”

“Pars autem posito surgunt de semine; ut altæ

Castaneæ, nemorumque Jovi quæ maxime frondet.”

2920This method of reproduction is seldom or never employed; plants or cuttings only being used for the purpose.

2921Besides which, it is doubtful if they will reproduce the variety, the seed of which was originally sown.

2922In some cases, they are more particularly liable to disease—the apple, for instance.

2923Because the mode of cultivation adopted has little or no influence upon them. The palm, however, to bear good fruit, requires the careful attention of man. It is not capable of being grafted.

2924In B. xv. c.39. The laurel may be grown from cuttings or shoots, and from seed.

2925Known as the Laurus tinus, or Viburnum tinus of Linnæus.

2926This is not done at the present day, as it is found that the oil which they contain turns rancid, and prevents germination.

2927These methods of preparation are no longer employed.

2928It is for this reason, as already stated, that they should be sown at once.

2929See B. xv. c.39. He there calls it “sterilis,” “barren.”

2930See B. xv. c.37. The myrtle reproduces itself in its native countries with great facility, but in such case the flowers are only single. Where a double flower is required, it is grown from layers.

2931No better, Fée says, than the ordinary method of making a myrtle hedge.

2932The almond requires a dry, light earth, and a southern aspect.

2933These precautions are no longer observed at the present day.

2934This precaution, too, is no longer observed.

2935The citron is produced, at the present day, from either the pips, plants, or cuttings.

2936This passage is borrowed almost verbatim from Virgil, Georgics ii. 50,et seq.

2937“Perna.” This method of reproduction is still adopted, but it is not to be recommended, as the young tree, before it throws out a root, is liable to be overthrown by high winds. Virgil mentions it, Georg. ii. 23.

2938Palladius only says that the growth of the quince in such case is very slow.

2939This experiment has been tried for curiosity’s sake, and has succeeded; the roots become dry, lose their fibres, and then develop buds, from which branches issue; while the buds of the summit become changed into roots.

2940“Seminarii:” “nurseries,” as they are more commonly called.

2941The distance, in reality, ought to vary according to the nature and species of the trees, and the height they are to be allowed to attain.

2942De Re Rust. 48.

2943These precautions are not looked upon as necessary for the indigenous trees at the present day. For the first year, however, Fée says, the hurdles might be found very useful.

2944As the young cypress is very delicate, in the northern climates, Fée says, this mode of protecting it in the nursery might prove advantageous.

2945There is some exaggeration in this account of the extreme smallness of the seed of the cypress.

2946Wine and oil-presses, for instance.

2947B. xix. c. 48, and B. xx. c. 11. As Fée remarks, this is a fabulous assertion, which may still be based upon truth; as in gum-resin, for instance, we find occasionally the seeds of the parent tree accidentally enclosed in the tear-like drops.

2948In B. xvi. c.47.

2949In c.11of this Book.

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