50 ALFALFA FARMING IN AMERICA. 



remembered that much of the land of Greece is 

 formed from the decay of limestone and marble, 

 Thus filled with carbonate of lime it is naturally 

 fitted for alfalfa culture as well as for the production 

 of such magnificent men as the Greeks undoubtedly 

 were. 



From Greece alfalfa spread into Rome, just when 

 we do not know. The first real farm books were 

 written in the first century after Christ. One L. 

 Junius Moderatus Columella, born in Spain but liv- 

 ing most of his life in Italy, wrote twelve books 

 which he called "De Re Rustica." These books 

 were written about the year 56 A. D. It would seem 

 from dipping into the pages of Columella that about 

 as much was known then of agriculture as is known 

 today. Indeed, they knew then many things that 

 we do not know today, and agriculture has lost many 

 picturesque details by the pruning away little by 

 little of agricultural fancies, by the accumulations of 

 stern facts. 



But however much we may smile at some of Col- 

 umella 's account of ancient Roman agriculture, we 

 will respect him for his account of alfalfa and the 

 way to grow it. Many forage crops are mentioned 

 by Columella medic (alfalfa), vetches, bitter vetch, 

 chick pea, barley, oats and wheat. 



Speaking of the various sorts of fodders he says 

 the herb medic (alfalfa) is the choicest, because 

 when it is sown it lasts ten years. He continues : 



It can bear to be cut down four times, sometimes also six times 

 in a year, because it dungs the land. All emaciated cattle what- 



