20 HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE. Pam I. 



contrire accounts, and is afraid to trust another, being conscious of fraud." (Co/, lib. i. 

 cap. 8.) There are some other things mentioned by this author, with respect to the 

 bailiff, that are very proper, and shew particularly the attention of the Romans. " He 

 ought not," says he, '* to trade upon his own account, nor employ his master's money in 

 purchasing cattle or any other goods ; for this trading takes off his attention, and prevents 

 him from keeping square accounts with his master. But when he is required to settle 

 them, he shows his goods in the place of money. This, above all, he should be careful 

 of, not to think he knows any thing he does not know ; and always be ready to learn 

 what he is ignorant of. For as it is of great advantage to do a thing well, so it is most 

 hurtful to have it ill done. This one thing holds true in all rustic work, to do but once 

 what the manner of culture requires ; because, when imprudence or negligence in work- 

 ing is to be set to rights, the time for the work is already wasted ; nor are the effects of 

 the amendment such as to make up the lost labour, and balance the advantages that 

 might have been gained by improving the season that is past." {Col. lib. i. cap. 8.) 



87. The qualities of the other villa servants are represented by the same author in this 

 manner: *' The careful and industrious," says he, " should be appointed masters of 

 the works ; these qualities are more necessary for this business than stature, or strength 

 of body; for this service requires diligent care and art." Of the ploughman he says, 



88. In the pUmghman, though a degree of genius is necessary, yet it is not enough. " There should be 

 joined to it a harshness of voice and manner, to terrify the cattle : but he should temper strength with 

 clemency ; because he ought to be more terrible than cruel, that so the oxen may obey his commands, 

 and continue the longer at their work, not being spent, at the same time, both with the severity of 

 labour and stripes. But what the offices of masters of works and of ploughmen are, I shall mention in 

 their proper places. It is sufficient at present to observe, that tallness and strength are of great use in the 

 one, and of very little in the other ; for we should make, as I have said, the tallest man a ploughman, 

 both for the reason I have already mentioned, and because there is no rustic work by which a tall man is 

 less fatigued than by ploughing ; because, when employed in this, walking almost upright, he may lean 

 upon the handle of the plough." Of the common laborer he says, " The common laborer may be of any 

 size, provided he is able to endure fatigue." And of the vme-dresser, " Vineyards do not require such 

 tall men, provided they are thick and brawny ; for this constitution of body is most proper for digging, 

 pruning, and the other culture necessary for them. In this work diligence is less necessary than in the 

 other works of husbandry ; because the vine-dresser ought to perform his work in company and under 

 the eye of a director. Commonly wicked men are of a quicker genius, which this kind of work requires ; 

 and, as it requires not only a stout servant, but one of an active contrivance, vineyards are commonly 

 cultivated by slaves in chains." {Col. lib. i. cap. 9.) Thus we see, that, among the Romans, laborers were 

 appointed to the diflferent works of husbandry, according to their strength, size, and genius. 



89. With respect to the wages of agricultural labor among the Romans, very little benefit 

 can be derived from knowing the absolute sum of money paid for any article, unless it 

 can be compared with the price of other commodities. The price of a slave in Cato's 

 time, was about 501. ; in the time of Columella it had risen to 60/. ; or to the price of 

 eight acres of good land. A good vine-dresser cost 661. 13s. 4d. and a good ploughman 

 or laboser not less than 60/. The interest of money at this time was 61. per cent, per 

 annum ; therefore, in stating the expence of farm labor, a slave must be rated at not less 

 than 12/. percent, as being a perishable commodity ; so that one who cost 60/. would 

 fall to be charged at the rate of 7/. 45. per annum, besides his maintenance and clothing. 

 This may give some idea of the wages that would be paid to a free servant who hired him- 

 self by the year ; of which, however, there appears to have been no great number, their 

 wages not being stated. Two reflections which arise from these statements may be men- 

 tioned incidentally : the first, that a much greater proportion of capital was required to 

 carry on Roman agriculture, than in Britain or any free country where the capital of 

 labor was not purchased, but only the interest paid as the labor is performed ; and, 

 secondly, that our farm servants, who in some places are paid from 15/. to 20/. per an- 

 num, besides food and lodging, would, if they were to be purchased, cost the farmer 

 from 150/. to 200/. each. A farmer, therefore, who occupied three hundred acres, and 

 employed a capital of 3000/. and six servants, would require an addition to his capital of 

 at least one third, if he were obliged to purchase those servants. 



90. All the servants were maintained and clothed by the farmer or proprietor; and as 

 may be supposed, it was the interest of the latter that this should be done in a good and 

 sufficient manner. Columella mentions what he calls an old maxim, concerning the 

 bailiflP: " That he should not eat but in the sight of all the servants, nor of any other 

 thing but what was given for the rest." He mentions the reason of this : " For thus," 

 says he, " shall he take care that both the bread be well baked, and the other things pre- 

 pared in a wholesome manner." (Co/, lib. i. cap. 8.) The same author mentions the 

 treatment that masters ought to give their slaves: " So much the more attentive," says 

 he, "ought the master to be in his inquiry concerning this kind of servants, that they 

 may not be injured in their clothes and other things afforded them, inasmuch as they 

 are subject to many, such as bailiffs, masters of works, and gaolers ; and the more they 

 are liable to receive injuries, and the more they are hurt through cruelty or avarice, the 

 more they are to be feared. Therefore a diligent master ought to inquire, both at them- 

 selves, and likewise the free servants in whom he may put greater confidence, whether 

 they receive the full of what is allowed them ; he himself ought likewise to try, by tasting 



