fifty cubits square around them. Less than for these they may not legally
plough, save the extent of the gatherer of fruit with his basket outward."

3. "Whether they be fruitless or fruitful?" "Men may regard them as though
they were fig-trees." "If they be fit to produce a heap of figs worth
sixty Italian minas?" "On their account they may legally plough the whole
fifty cubits square around them. Less than for these they may not plough,
save what is absolutely needful."

4. "One tree produced a heap of figs, and two trees did not produce it; or
two trees produced it, and one did not produce it?" "Men may not plough
save what is absolutely needful for them, till they be from three to nine
in number." "If they be ten?" "On their account men may legally plough
around them the whole fifty cubits square; and also from ten trees and
upward, whether they produce or do not produce it." As is said, "in
earing-time and in harvest thou shalt rest."(40) There is no need to say
earing-time and harvest in the Sabbatical year, but earing-time on the eve
of the Sabbatical year, when it is just entering on the Sabbatical year;
and harvest of the Sabbatical year, which is proceeding toward the close
of the Sabbatical year. Rabbi Ishmael said, "as the earing-time (mentioned
Exod. xxxiv. 21) is voluntary, so the harvest is voluntary, except the
harvest of the (omer) sheaf."(41)

5. "If the three trees belong to three owners?" "They are reckoned as one,
and on their account they may legally plough the whole fifty cubits square
around them." "And how much space must be between them?" Rabban Simon, the
son of Gamaliel, said, "that a bullock with his ploughing instruments may
pass."

6. "If there be ten saplings dispersed in the fifty cubits square?" "On
their account men may plough the whole fifty cubits square around them
till new year's day." "If they be placed in a row, or rounded like a
crown?" "Men may not plough save what is absolutely needful for them."

7. The saplings and the gourds are reckoned alike in the fifty cubits
square. Rabban Simon, the son of Gamaliel, said, "for every ten cucumbers
in the fifty cubits square, men may plough the fifty cubits square around
them till new year's day."

8. "How long are they called saplings?" Rabbi Eleazar, the son of Azariah,
said,(42) "till they can be used." R. Joshua said, "till the age of seven
years." R. Akiba said, "a sapling, as commonly named." "A tree decays and
sprouts afresh