The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1853-06-08

of the ground when, this representa-
tive enemy being buried, the seed was
supposed to be safe from enemies. The
time for moving was carefully deter
mined, ,and the hay-ricks made with due
precaution against both damp and
spontaneous combustion. When the
time of harvest came, the laborers of
Athens ranged themselves round the
agora, and waited to be employed by
the farmers.
The grain was separated from the
straw by horses, oxen and mules, in a
circular thrashing floor, usually placed
on an eminece in an open field. a pole
was set up in the centre, and the cat
tie fastened to it by rope reaching to
the circumference. They were moved
around it until they were brought up
at the centre by the winding up of the
rope, and then were turned in the op-
posite direction till it was unwound.-
Sometimes q rude thrashing machine.
toothed with stones or iron, or a fail
was employed. In Homer's time q
winnowing machine was used also
When harvest was completed, the G.
vent was celebrated by a festival il
in honor of Demeter and Dionysius, al
which, cakes and fruit were alone offer
ed.
The culture of the vine was a sub.
ject Of great Importance, and the sclec
ton of a spot for vineyard, the dircc.
ton of its exposure, the effects of eli
mate and of particular winds, we're scd
ulously considered. Hedging, weed
ing, setting out slips, the treatment Of
the vine were all described by writer:
before the time of Virgil. The appear
ance of vineyard, composed of tree
climbing vines, is beautifully described
by Mr.. st. John, the trees being ash
poplar, maple Or elm, and planted ont
row above another on declivity, will
the lower branches cut off the vint
climbed thirty to sixty feet, accordin!
to the depth of the soil, and runnin!
out on the high branches, arched from
tree to tree, or on bridges of reeds.
A series of lofty arches was thu
created beneath which the breeze
could freely play, abundant current
Of pure air being regarded as no les
essential than constant sunshine to tn
perfect maturing Of the grape. Tn
fruit was kept fresh or made into ra
sins. 1t would be endless 70 attempt
description of all the fruits and tn
methods of raising them. Cider an
perry were made from apples an
pears. The olive was perhaps most cx
tcnsively raised, as its oil was used fc
lights, and as the basis of cookery.
The farm yards had their noisy tel
ants. Geese and ducks often waddle
into the kitchen, in one corner of whic
might be heard the comforting soun(
Of the occupant of the lig-sty. I'll
art of enlarging goose's liver for ep
cures was well known both to Il
Greeks and Egyptians. Hencrics fu
: nishcd with roosts were attached to Il
= kitchen so as to receive its smok
which was supposed to be agreeable
@ barndoor fowls. Pigeons, peacock
> pheasants, guinearhens, &c, were to
+ found at the establishments of wealtl
c ier farmers. The laboring anima
C were much the same as now, exec
: that the horse was comparatively mo
c uncommon in the working of the farr
C being reserved for the chase, war, &
c The arrangements of a Greek dali
|, were much like ours, and though bu
,, ter was little used in the classical age
C yet cheese was universally eaten, gci
/ orally while fresh and soft. Milk w
IS sold in the Grecian markets by wome
II and it frequently reached the custom
= er in the shape of milk and water.
T. method used for detecting the chea
It was to drop little on the thumb mai
C if the milk was pure, it would rema
:, in its place,-if not, it would flow
Il way.