Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1908 edition. Excerpt:... tempting Providence (oin avfifbipet deofiaxetv). There is no advantage to a man in sowing or planting what he would like, rather than what the ground pleases to produce or nurture. If the land, owing to the sloth of its tenants, is not able to show its nature, one can learn a truer account of it from the observation of any neighbouring place often than from a neighbouring man (i.e. tenant). At the same time land left untitled (xepa-dovaa) exhibits its nature. If it produces a fine crop of wild plants, then with cultivation it will produce a fine crop of cultivated plants. Even those inexperienced in farming are able to distinguish the nature of land. S. Yes, even seamen, passing hurriedly along the coast, do not hesitate to characterize land as good or bad according to the crops they see, agreeing in general with experts in agriculture. /. Where then shall I begin my precepts in agriculture--you know a great deal. S. I want to know--being a philosopher--by what method of culture I can, if I will, get the best crop of barley or of wheat. /. Well, you know, first of all, that one must prepare the fallow for sowing (rw mropui veov det V7repyder8at). S. Yes. I. Suppose then we commenced ploughing (dpovv) the land in winter i S. Nay, it would be mud. /. Well, summer? S. The ground will be hard for a team to stir (o-xXippa... Ktve'tv To) feuyei). /. I dare say then we must begin this operation in spring. S. Yes, for it is natural that the ground when stirred at that season should most of all be loosened. 7. And also the grass (noav), being turned up at that season, will furnish manure (eojrpoi/) for the land, and at the same time it will not shed seed so as to grow. You know, I fancy, that if the fallow (ij veos) is to be good, it...