Chap. XIII. Of L us erne. Ipj 



very thick, for that miferable Reafon of enabling it 

 by its Thicknefs the better to kill the Grafs. The 

 Beds being harrow'd very fine before Sowing, which 

 was in the End of April-, the Seed required to be 

 fpeedily cover'd, left the Sun's Heat fhould fpoil it. 

 But with what Inftrument muft it be cover'cl ? For, 

 after Sowing, the Place muft not be touch'd with 

 Iron. At medic a obruitur ncn aratro, fed ligneis 

 rafteltis. * M^V^-feed is cover'd, not with the 



* Plough, but with little (or rather light) wooden 

 ' Harrows.' Two Days Work (of a Team) were fpent 

 on this Harrowing of one Acre. Some time after it 

 came up, they fcratch'd it again and again with the 

 fame wooden Inftruments : This was call'd Sarrition t 

 Then by Runcation they weeded it over and over, Ne 

 alterius generis herba invalidam medicam perimat. \ Left 



* other Grafs mould kill it whilft it was weak.' The 

 Firft Crop they let ftand till fome of the Seed fhat- 

 ter'd, to fill the Ground yet fuller of Plants : After 

 that they might cut it as young as they pleas'd ; but 

 muft be fure to water it often after cutting. Then 

 after a few Days, when it began to fpring, they repeat- 

 ed their Runcation : and fo continuing to weed out 

 all manner of Grafs for the Firft Two or Three Years, 

 it ufed to bring Four or Six Crops a Year, and laft 

 Ten Years. 



Englijh Gardeners make Forty Pounds of an Acre 

 of Aiparagus, or Cabbage- plants, with half the La- 

 bour and Expence that was beftow'd on an Acre of 

 Roman Medica. 



We know not the Price Hay and Grafs were at in 

 italy\ while the Roman Empire was in its Glory, and 

 Rome, then the Metropolis of the World, drew the 

 Riches of all Parts thither ; its Price muft be then 

 very high. 



And the Romans had not only Servants, but plen- 

 ty of Slaves, for whom they had fcarce fufficient 

 Employment: This might leffen the Expence of this 



O z tedious 



