Rocky Mountain husbandman. [volume] (Diamond City, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1878-05-09

tates, but let him cultivate small one"
The Romans were exceedingly covetous
of lance; and, for the protection of the citi-
zen, and the consequent prosperity of the
empire, their senators and rulers saw the
wisdom of this provision-tor it was in land
and in the products of the soil that their
principal and almost only wealth and power
consisted many of those qualities which fit
ted them for conquering the world and per-
fecting their so celebrated Jurisprudence, no
doubt. were acquired by the skill. foresight
and persevering industry so needful tor the
intelligent and successful cultivation of the
soil. Many glimpses into the methods Of
cultivation are found in those works of Ro-
man authors which survive the ravages Of
time. Cato speaks OF irrigation. frequent
tillage and manuring as means Of tertiizing
the soil; and Cicero attributes to Cato the
following, which gives us fine picture of
the ancient Roman enthusiasm in agricul-
hire: Il come now to the pleasures of hus-
bandry, in which | vastly delight. They
are not interrupted by old age, and they
seem to me pursuits in which a wise mans
life should be spent. The earth does not
rebel against authority; it never gives back
but with usury what it receives. The gains
OF husbandry are not what exclusively COM
mend it. am charmed With the nature
and productive virtues ofs the soil. Can
those old men be called unhappy who de-
light in the cultivation Of the soil? In my
opinion, there can be no happier lte-not
only because the tillage of the earthIis salu-
tary to all. but from the pleasure it yields.
The whole establishment of good and as
siduous husbandman is stored with wealth.
Nothing can be more profitable, nothing
more beautiful, than we'll cultivated farm" "
Mr.. Moskyns, contributor Of consider
able note to the history of agriculture, quotes
the following from Pliny commenting on
Virgil: 'sOur poet is of opinion that alter
nate fallows should be made. and that the
land should resaentirely every two years.
This is indeed both true and profitable, pro-
viding man has land enough to give the
soil this repose But if this extent be not
sufficient,let him help himself thus: Let
him SOW hexayear's wheat crop on the field
from which he has just gathered his beans,
yetches and lupins or such other crop as en-
riches the ground" In another place he
tells us: '.Wheat, the later it is rcaped, the
better it casts but the sooner it is reaped,
the fairer the sample. The best rule is to
cut it down before the grain has got hard,
when the ear begins to have reddisll-browl
| ,lnxyc hoy
as many too late:.,'
1T is curious,'' says Mr.. Hoskyqs, ''tc
readssuch passages as these and to tind the
very same subjects still handled week attel
week in fresh and eager controversy in the
agricultural writings and periodicals OF the
present day, eighteen centuries after 'hose
opinions we're written"
At later period in the history OF Rome
we. see different state of things. Wher
their boundless conquests produced an TN
heard-of luxury, and the corruption OF NOR
ais had cast darkness over the land, athourf
some>o of the noblest minds amongst then
were strongly attracted towards the anclen
virtue of the purer andssimpler agricultural
j. life. agriculture was, on the whole, neglect
4 ed, and those engaged in it regarded witt
contempt. Thelaws regarding possession
had been changed, so that one person coui(
own five hundred acres, instead OF six o.
seven, as at an earlier time; anu many re
u eions, once carefully cultivated ana hlghi.
productive, were abandoned to nature ant
became scenes of desolation, While Rom
drew her supplies from Egypt, Sicily an'