102 VARRO ON FARMING [bk. 



mid-way, and I fancy that the word harvest (messts) 

 is derived from the word middle {medius). That 

 part of the stalk below the hand which adheres to 

 the ground is afterwards cut close to the earth, 

 while that part which is attached to the ear is carried 

 3 off in baskets to the threshing-floor; there it is 

 separated in an uncovered place in full view {palam)^ 

 whence perhaps its name palea (straw). Some 

 people derive its name stramentum from stare (to 

 stand) from which stamen is also derived; others 

 from stratum (strewing), because it is strewn under 

 cattle. When the crop is ripe it must be reaped ; 

 and in regard to this it is said that one man's work 

 for a day is roughly enough for about a iugerum^^ 

 if the land be easy to work. The cut ears should be 

 carried in baskets to the threshing-floor. 



CHAPTER LI 



THE THRESHING-FLOOR 



I The threshing-floor should be on raised ground, 

 that the wind may blow through it; it should be of 

 a size proportionate to that of the crop; round for 

 choice, with the centre swelling up a little, so that 

 in case of rain the water may not stand, but may 



^ In iugerum. This seems irrelevant, and the remainder 

 of the chapter a vain repetition of what was said immediately 

 before. 



