Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-07-17
For the f. euman.
4 Chat with Farmers,
No. IA.
BY AGRICOLA.

This paper shall he devoted to Greek
and Roman agriculture. The Greeks had
fine breeds of horses, sheep and swiic.
Their implements of husbandry resemblcd
those of modern times. They also under
stood the use of manures, and the import
ance of thorough tillage. They plowed
three times with mules and oxen, and often
subsoiled and mixed soils-as sand and
clay-to secure better crops. They sue
cessfully cultivated the apple, pear, cherry
plum, ounce, peach, figs, lemons and
other fruits suited to the climate.
Greece had distinguished agricultural
writers, among whom was Nenophon. His
writings are now regarded as very valu-
able. Still, the Greeks did not regard ag-
riculture with the same pride rs the Ro-
mans. The reason for this is apparent
Greek soil was cultivated mainly by Il
mental race, while their masters were
more interested in building up their cities.
The Romans regarded agriculture as the
foundation of all other employments and
professions. A tract of land was given
to every citizen by the state, and be was
restricted to his little farm GURUS,
the orator, declared that "he was not to be
counted good citizen, but rather dan
Serous man TO the state, who could not
content himself with seven acres of land!'
These seven acres were really no more
than five of our acres. Rather small
patch" us it would seem to an American
farmer; but when "well tilled,' it con
triDuted to the comfortable support of a
small family.
AS hn han
eriul and extended its limits bv conquest,
the citizen was allowed 10 hold fifty acres,
and still later he could hold five hundred
acres. This limitation of the freehold in
the early history of the nation led 10 an
exact mode of culture which secured the
best results. 70 be called good husband
man WAS regarded by the ancient Roman
us the highest praise. Cincnnatus, like
our forefathers, was called from the pillow
to fight the battles of his country. The
most popular work of Cato, the orator
general and statesman, was book or
farming. The Roman senate ordered the
twenty-eight books written by Mayo, :
distinguished agricultural writer in Car
thage, to be translated into Latin for the
use of the Roman people.
During the century previous to the Chris
tian era. Rome had an agricultural litera
ture unsurpassed by any other country
either ancient Or modern, unless we ex
cept Germany, France and England of tn,
present day. These works abound il
maxn.5. Says Cato: "Oar ancestors re
garded it rs a grand point of husbandr,
not TO have too much land in one farm
for they considered that more profit cam,
by holding little and tilling it WE'LL
The farmer may praise large estates, bu
let him cultivate small one" saws Virgil
Pliny wrote: Men should plant tree
while young, and not build till their field.
are planted; and even then they shoult
take time to consider and not be in toe
great haste. 1t is best to profit by the
folly of Others
The Roman farmers also paid much at
tentlon to breeding stock. Columell,
gives the following points of Il gooe
mich cow, viz "A tall make, long witt
very large belly, very broad head, eve.
black and open, horns graceful, smootI
and black, ears hairy, jaws straight, dew
lap and tail very large, hoofs and legs mod
crate" What say TO this, We wise dairy
men? The same writer describes the fol-
lowing treatment of working oxen. L
seems very curious: AFTER oxen ge
through blowing, and come home heaIec
and tired, they must have little wine
poured down their throats, and after being
fed little, be led out to drink, and i
they will not drink, the boy must whtstle
10 make them :"
The philosophy Of the first and last
suggestions cannot explain.