386 AGRICULTURE. 



formed by any number of servants and cattle in a given time, 

 the knowledge of which is highly useful to a farmer, and what 

 few perfectly acquire. It may be observed, likewise, that the 

 landlord is here supposed to inquire into all circumstances, with 

 a minuteness of which there is scarcely even an actual farmer 

 in this age who has any conception. Var'ro complains that, in 

 his time, the same attention to agriculture was not given as 

 in former times ; that the great men resided too much within 

 the walls of the city, and employed themselves more in the 

 theatre and circus than in the corn fields and vineyards. 



Columella complains that, in his time, agriculture was almost 

 entirely neglected. However, from the directions which he 

 gives to the proprietors of land, it appears that there were still 

 a few who continued to pay a regard to it ; for, after mentioning 

 some things which he says, by the justice and care of the land- 

 lord, contribute much to improve his estates, he adds: "But 

 he should likewise remember, when he returns from the city, 

 immediately after paying his devotions, if he has time, if not, 

 next day, to view his marshes, inspect every part of his farm, 

 and observe whether, in his absence, any part of discipline or 

 watchfulness has been dispensed with ; and whether any vine, 

 any other tree, or any fruits are missing. Then, likewise, he 

 ought to review the cattle and servants, and all the instruments 

 of husbandry, and the household furniture. If he continues to 

 do all these things, for some years, he will find a habit of disci- 

 pline established when he is old ; and at no age will he be so 

 much impaired with years as to be despised by his servants." 



The earliest farmers, among the Romans, seem not to have 

 been upon the same footing as in Britain. The stock on the 

 farm belonged to the landlord, and .the farmer received a cer- 

 tain proportion of the products of his labor. The farmer who 

 possessed a farm upon these terms, was called politor or polintor> 

 from his business, being the dresser of the land ; and partua- 

 ritis, from his being in a kind of copartnership with his land- 

 lord, and receiving part of the products of the' farm for his 

 labor. Cato takes notice of this kind of farmers only, and it is 

 probable that there were no others in his time. "The terms," he 

 says, "upon which land ought to be let. to a politor; in the good 

 land of Casinum and Venafrum, he receives the eighth basket ; 



