I] FARM LAND 35 



into at least three sub-classes, since, for example, 



some land is very stony, some moderately so, and 



-ome almost entirely free from stones. And the same 



hree degrees of comparison apply to soils in which 



iiy of the other substances mentioned (marble, 



iibble, sand, etc.) exists. Moreover, each of these 



three sub-classes may be divided into three others, 



as each is dry, moderately dry, or wet. And these 



latter differences are of the greatest importance with 



regard to the crops to be grown. Thus experts 



would rather sow spelt than wheat on comparatively 



wet land, wheat rather than spelt on soil that is dry, 



and sow either on soil that is midway between the two 



5 extremes. Again, all these classes may be divided 

 more minutely still. Take, for example, sandy soil, 

 where it is of importance whether the sand be red 

 or white, for the whitish kind is ill adapted for a 

 plantation, while reddish sand is, on the contrary, 

 perfectly suitable. These three differences in land 

 are important — I mean whether it be poor, rich, or 

 between the two, for rich land (as regards farming) 

 is fertile in many things, poor land not so. For ex- 

 ample, in thin land, such as the Papinian, tall 

 trees, fruitful vines, stout corn-stalks, are nowhere 

 to be seen, nor yet the large Mariscan fig; and you 

 will find most of the trees and meadows parched 



6 and infested with moss; while on the other hand, 

 in rich land like Etruria, you may see fruitful corn- 

 lands which are sown every year, and tall trees, and 

 no moss anywhere. Again, in land of medium 

 quality, as in Tibur, the nearer it comes to being 



