it in halves, two men seized each a part, and then, standing back to back, started off in opposite directions, made the tour of the vineyard, and, returning whence they had set out, buried the cock’s remains in the earth. After this the Libs might blow as it listed, since it possessed no power to injure any man’s property within the consecrated circle.[1509] The prevalence of the north wind during autumn was considered auspicious, as they supposed it to hasten the ripening of the fruit. ----- Footnote 1505: Geop. v. 4.1. Footnote 1506: Theoph. Caus. Plant. v. 12. 5. Cf. Hist. Plant. iv. 14. 11. And yet the neighbourhood of the sea was considered propitious to the vine. Geop. v. 5. Footnote 1507: Theoph. Caus. Plant. v. 12. 5. Footnote 1508: On the prevalence of these winds in winter and spring, together with the causes of the phenomenon, see Aristot. Problem. xxvi. 16. Footnote 1509: Paus. ii. 34. 2. Chandler, Travels, ii. 248. ----- When the husbandman had resolved on the formation of a new vineyard, he first, of course, encircled the spot with a hedge[1510] which was made both thick and strong for the purpose of repelling the flocks and herds, which, as well as goats, foxes, and soldiers, loved to prey upon the vine.[1511] His next care was to root up the hazel bush and the oleaster, the roots of the former being supposed to be inimical to the Dionysiac tree, while the oily bark of the latter rendered it peculiarly susceptible of taking fire, by which means vineyards would often appear to have been reduced to ashes. So at least says Virgil.[1512] Root up wild olives from thy laboured lands, For sparkling fire from hinds’ unwary hands Is often scattered o’er their unctuous rinds, And often spread abroad by raging winds; For first the smouldering flame the trunk receives, Ascending thence it crackles in the leaves; At length victorious to the top aspires, Involving all the wood in smoky fires. But most when driven by winds the flaming storm Of the long files destroys the beauteous form; In ashes then the unhappy vineyard lies, Nor will the blasted plants from ruin rise, Nor will the withered stock be green again, But the wild olive shoots, and shades th’ ungrateful plain. ----- Footnote 1510: Virg. Georg. ii. 371, sqq. Footnote 1511: Aristoph. Eq. 1073, seq. Küst. Footnote 1512: Georg. ii. 299, sqq. Dryden’s Translation. ----- The next operation[1513] was to trench the ground and throw it into lofty ridges, which, by the operation of the summer sun, and the rain and winds and frosts of winter, were rendered mellow and genial. Occasionally a species of manure, composed[1514] of pounded acorns, lentils, and other vegetable substances, was dug in for the purpose of giving to the soil the warmth and fertility required by the vine. ----- Footnote 1513: Geop. iii. 4. Cf. Virg. Georg. ii. 259, seq. et Serv. ad loc.