Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-01-04
AGRICULTURAL.
agriculture among the Romans.


crop. Pliny says that there were sent from
Byzantium in Africa, to Augustus, nearly
400 stalks, all from one grain; and to Nero,
3lo stalks. The sod FROM which this 'u-
mense Weld was Obtained would seem 10
l,ave nosessed a remarkable quality, for
Pliay says that sswhen dry, the stoutest
oxen cannot plow it, but after ram nave
seen it opened by a share, drawn BY a
wretchcd ass on the one side and an old
woman on the other" A soil that shakes
SO bard as this in dry weather could not
have been plowed very deep with such a
team. In Italy the crops seem to have
been less extraordinary though good, ac-
cordinc TO Varro the yield os wheat was
from 81 to 81 bushels per acre.
When Rome was at her greatest he'si''
in the time ef the C;esars, the farmers OBJ
tanned almost fabulous prices for some OF
their productions. Varro informs US that
,sgat birds" tlrushes, black birds, &c.' were
sold at fifty cents each,and sometimes 9oeo
Of them we're sold in u year from one farm
Farms we're generally small ! Pea fowls
were sold at 81; an egg at so cents. a
farm sometimes produced as many OF these
fowls as 10 sell forS25,000. A pair Of iae
doves we're commonly of the same price as
peacock, 81. Ii very pretty, they were
much higher, no less than $50 i. ANUS,
Roman knight, refused to sell pair under
S64. The ssehieken fever" it seems did
not originate in this age and country
Whether the Romans. had any Shanghais in
those days that could seat corn off the top
of a -four barrel, and stride over . sixteen
inch plank without any exertion," we are
not Informed.
Woodward. in his 'Essay towards a
Natural History of the'Earth," published
in 1906, says, those who have written de
arte comJinatorie, reckon up no fewer than
one hundred and sevcn.y-mne millions, one
thousand and sixty different sorts ofearti. !"
Modern science informs us, indeed that all
agricultural soils are composed of some
fourteen elements, but these are so combin-
ed as to form an almost infinite variety OF
soils, Of whose characteristics AT the pres
ent day, We can hardly claim to know any
thing. The Romans were equally ignorant.
YrI. Io.a,,4 4a.;.o,l eo,,l nc ,icl, cr ,,f,or
free or stiff wet or dry. The best soil they
thought had blackish color, was gluttin-
Gus when wet, and friable when dry; exhal-
ed an agreeable smell when plowed, inl-
bibed water readily, retaining sufiicieney
and discbarging what was superfuous; not
injurious to the plow irons by causing a
salt rust; frequented by crows and other
birds at the time of plowing; and when al
rest speedily covered with a rich turf
A free soil WAS always preferred.
The best situation for lands, according II
Columclla and Palladius, is ''not so mucf
on level as to make the water stagnatt
nor SO low as to be buried in the bottom
Of valley nor so exposed as TO feel the Vi
olence of storms and heats. for in these
inedioerity is always best; but champaign
land exposed and whose decliyity afford
Tic rains a free passage, or hill who's
sides gently decline; or = valley not 10,
much confined and into which the air ha
Id H.
higher top, auI thereby secured from th
winds that ans most pernicious, or if hig
and rugged. at the same time covered witt
trees and grass The situation of land
which Cato reckois the best, are at tlr
foot os mountain with southern expos
ure. Plinoy says that the best lands il
Italy are so situated.
Planting trees to screen the land frol
the high winds which frequently prevailed
and for fruit, was recommended BY nearl
all the Roman writers. Cato says; -
land owner should apply himself 10 th
planting of his fields early in his youth; bu
lie ought to think long befere hc builds. =
lie ought not to think about planting; bu
he ought TO do it. When he is about thin
ry-six years of age, he may uild, provide
his fields are planted" Pliny gives th
same advice. "Alen,' he says, '.shoul
plant in their youth, aud not build till thei
fields are planted; and even then eaght ne
10 be III hurry, bui take time to consider
1t is best, according TO the proverb, to pref
BY the folly OF others" Many young \
nericar tanners might follow this advice {
The old Roman with advantage Bette
plant good orchard, than build tn
house,
Ihe Romans paid much attention TO ii
brccdina breaking, feeding and working {
their cattle. "Bulls," says Palladru.
''-heulG be tall, with huge members, or
middle age, rather young than old, and Of
stern couu,enancc small horns, Drawn
and vast neck. and cpn6nedbcily." I'll
cows Columella most approves cfare ga Ia