19.10
Of course I would; for then there would be more buds underground; and I notice that plants shoot from the buds above ground, so I suppose that the buds under the ground do just the same; and with many shoots forming underground, the plant will make strong and rapid growth, I suppose.
19.11
Then it turns out that on these points too your opinion agrees with mine. But would you merely heap up the earth, or make it firm round the plant? I should make it firm, of course; for if it were not firm, I feel sure that the rain would make mud of the loose earth, and the sun would dry it up from top to bottom; so the plants would run the risk of damping off through too much water, or withering from too much heat at the roots.
19.12
About vineThe mention of the vine comes in so abruptly that one again suspects the loss of something in the text. planting then, Socrates, your views are again exactly the same as mine, too? I asked. Yes, and to all other fruit trees, I think; for in planting other trees why discard anything that gives good results with the vine?
19.13
But the olive—how shall we plant that, Ischomachus? You know quite well, and are only trying to draw me out again. For I am sure you see that a deeper hole is dug for the olive (it is constantly being done on the roadside); you see also that all the growing shoots have stumps adhering to them; and you see that all the heads of the plants are coated with clay, and the part of the plant that is above ground is wrapped up.
