.H. BELVOIR,
Fauquier County,
Virginia.

December, 1912.

FOREWORD TO SECOND EDITION

The call for a reprint of this book has afforded the opportunity to
correct some errors and to make several additions to the notes.

In withholding his name from the title page the editor sought not so
much to conceal his identity as to avoid the appearance of a parade in
what was to him the unwonted field of polite literature. As, however,
he is neither ashamed of the book nor essays the _role_ of

A violet by a mossy stone
Half hidden from the eye,

he now and here signs his name.

FAIRFAX HARRISON.

BELVOIR HOUSE,
Christmas, 1917.

CONTENTS

NOTE UPON THE ROMAN AGRONOMISTS
NOTE ON THE OBLIGATION OF VIRGIL TO VARRO

* * * * *

CATO'S _DE AGRICULTURA_

SYNOPSIS

Introduction: Of the Dignity of the Farmer
Of Buying a Farm
Of the Duties of the Owner
Of Laying out the Farm
Of Stocking the Farm
Of the Duties of the Overseer
Of the Duties of the Housekeeper
Of the Hands
Of Draining
Of Preparing the Seed Bed
Of Manure
Of Soil Improvement
Of Forage Crops
Of Planting
Of Pastures
Of Feeding Live Stock
Of the Care of Live Stock
Of Cakes and Salad
Of Curing Hams

VARRO'S _RERUM RUSTICARUM LIBRI TRES_

SYNOPSIS

BOOK I

THE HUSBANDRY OF AGRICULTURE

CHAPTER

I. Introduction: the literary tradition of country life

Of the definition of Agriculture:
II. a. What it is not
III. b. What it is
IV. The purposes of Agriculture are profit and pleasure
V. The four-fold division of the study of Agriculture

_I deg. Concerning the farm itself_:
VI. How conformation of the land affects Agriculture
VII. How character of soil affects Agriculture
VIII. (A digression on the maintenance of vineyards)
IX. Of the different kinds of soils
X. Of the units of area used in measuring land

Of the considerations on building a steading:
XI. a. Size
b. Water supply
XII. c. Location, with regard to health
XIII. d. Arrangement

Of the protection of farm boundaries:
XIV. a. Fences
XV. b. Monuments
XVI. Of the considerations of neighbourhood

_2 deg. Concerning the equipment of a farm_:
XVII. }
& }Of agricultural labourers
XVIII.}
XIX. }
& }Of draught animals
XX. }
XXI. Of watch dogs
XXII. Of farming implements

_3 deg. Concerning the operation of a farm_:
XXIII. Of planting field crops
XXIV. Of planting olives
XXV. }
& } Of plan