Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-12-31

gushed orator, general and statesman, is
most loudly commended for his admirable
book on farming. The Roman Senate directed
that the twenty-eight books Of Mage, the
most distinguished writer on agriculture in
Carthage, should be translated into Latin
for the use Of the Roman people. The agri.
cultural literature Of Rome, in later times,
including century previous to the Christian
era, has not been surpassed in any age or
country, with the exception, perhaps, Of
France, Germany and England Of the pres.
ent day. These works abound in sound
doctrine aud wise precepts. Here is one
example from the pen Of old Cato; "Our
ancestors regarded it grand point Of hus.
bAndry not to have too much land in one
! farm, for they considered that moro profit
came by holding little aud tilling it we'll"
Aud here is another from Virgil. "The
farmer may praise large estates, but let him
cultivate small one." Pliny speaks of the
Importance of planting trees as a means
Of protecting fields from the winds and
storms, as follows: MEN should plant
while young and not build till their fields
are planted and even then they should take
time to consider, aud not be in too great
haste. 1t is best, as the proverb says, 10
profit by the folly of others" And here
is the Romans idea Of good COW will some
one Of our readers tell US how these points
compare with his own views on this subject
1.-The good mich cow" says Oolumella, ais
of a tall make, long with very large belly,
very broad head, eyes black aud open, horns
graceful, smooth aud black, ears hairy, jaws
straight, dewlap and tail very large, hoofs
and legs moderate"
The same writer gives the following Curl
Gus directions as to the treatment Of working
oxen; after oxen get through blowing
aud come home heated aud tired, they must
have little wine poured down their throats
and, alter being fed little, be led out tc
drink; aud if they will not drink, the boy
must whistle, to make them !"
In apology for the Romans treatment Of
working oxen, we will say, this was long
time ago. and even within our memory il
was the common custom among farmers tC
pour down laboring mems threats mot wine
buO New England rum and whiskey by thu
gallon during "hayiDg time" They did mo-
give it to their oxen, which doubtless needed
it as much as their masters. Another idea
it will be noticed that q "little wine" wa,
poured down the throats Of the oxen. L
was used temporarily. Aud then again, i
was the pure wine Of the Romans, and no
the drugged wine Of the Americans, used ii
these days. AS to the philosophy of wits
ting to make the oxen drink, We shall no
attempt to explain.
But agriculture did not thrive so much a
} the empire grew in wealth and power, as il
its early history. When the territory wa
small, and the population comparatively few
. tilling the soil was the chief pursuit of tn
, aud-holders. At that time commerce wa
looked upon as degrading, and hence eacl
Roman citizen devoted his whole attention
to his own farm, and to war for its defence
: But when the nation became more power
full, the operations Of agriculture were in
> trusted mainly to the bondmen, who felt bu
little, if any, interest in their labor. Thi
. is reason enough, if considered alone, for tn
decline in the art of tiling the soil. Her
/ is au argument in favor of the farm agains
$ the plantation, and an example showing tn
y Importance of the personal supervision of ou
r farmers over their own homesteads. If lei
D to the care of servants, or even tenants, the
e will soon waste away.