17.
But to return to our olive-yard again.
I saw it planted in two ways.
If the trees were large, Aegialus took their trunks and cut off the branches to the length of one foot each; he then transplanted along with the ball, after cutting off the roots, leaving only the thick part from which the roots hang.
He smeared this with manure, and inserted it in the hole, not only heaping up the earth about it, but stamping and pressing it down.
Book: Moral Letters Vol II
Subtitle: Seneca's timeless letters of advice and wisdom.
Author: Seneca
Chapter: On Scipio's villa
Location: Chapter 86, Section 16
Content:
17.
But to return to our olive-yard again.
I saw it planted in two ways.
If the trees were large, Aegialus took their trunks and cut off the branches to the length of one foot each; he then transplanted along with the ball, after cutting off the roots, leaving only the thick part from which the roots hang.
He smeared this with manure, and inserted it in the hole, not only heaping up the earth about it, but stamping and pressing it down.