154 AGRICULTURE. 



also the same tendency as the maxims which we have cited. 

 For one we must find room and a translation : 



" I cannot forbear stating one instance from old times, 

 from which we may perceive both that questions of culture 

 were brought judicially before the people, and also how men 

 of that time were in the habit of defending themselves. 

 C. Furius Cresinus, a freedman, became the object of much 

 ill-feeling on the part of his neighbours, in consequence of 

 his gathering from a very small field much more produce 

 than they could obtain from very large ones. He was ac- 

 cused of attracting the crops from other fields by charms. 

 Sp. Albinus appointed a court day to hear this charge ; and 

 Cresinus, fearing that he might be found guilty, when the 

 tribe were about to pronounce their verdict, brought his 

 live and dead farming stock into the forum ; and he brought 

 with him a stout wench, and Piso says that she was in good 

 case and well clad. His iron implements were exceedingly 

 well manufactured, the spades were strong, the shares 

 powerful, and the oxen in high condition. Then he said, 

 ' These, Romans, are my charms ; but I cannot show you, 

 or bring into the forum, my mental labours, my vigils, nor 

 the sweat of my brow.' " 



On the subject of farm-buildings it is difficult to gather 

 much from these writers, principally because, as we have 

 said, they were complicated with the villa, which was, as 

 its name implies, the country abode of the landlord. On 

 this point Cato forgets his usual frugality, and recommends 

 comfort approaching to luxury, with a view of attracting and 

 retaining the residence of the proprietor. Columella is 

 very elaborate on this subject. In the first place, he is 

 fastidious as to situation, both on the score of health and 

 jucundity, and his only prudential maxim is, that a villa 

 should be situated at some distance from a high road, as 

 otherwise all your idle acquaintance will be dropping in 



oxen, himself with the twelfth. This, on the Roman computation, of 

 60 odd acres to a plough, would make the prophet the occupier of 

 arable land to the extent of 800 acres. 



