BOOK I, PREFACE 27-30 



varieties of figs as well as to rose-gardens, when even 

 greater things are negldcted by most people even 

 though they have now begun to be, for many 

 farmers, not the least part of their revenue ? For 28 

 meadows and willow-thickets, broom-plants and 

 reeds, though they require little attention, still 

 require some. 



After this announcement of subjects so many and 

 so varied, it does not escape me that, if I demand, of 

 those who are concerned with farm-work, the farmer 

 whom we seek and shall describe, the enthusiasm of 

 the learners will be cooled ; for, being disheartened by 

 the hopelessness of mastering so varied and so vast a 

 science, they will not wish to try what they distrust 

 their ability to attain. Nevertheless, as Marcus 29 

 Tullius has very properly said in his Orator,"' it is 

 right that those who have an earnest desire to 

 investigate subjects of the greatest utility for the 

 human race, and to transmit to posterity their care- 

 fully weighed findings, should try everything. And 

 if the force of an outstanding genius or the equip- 

 ment of celebrated arts is wanting, we should not 

 immediately relapse into idleness and sloth, but 

 rather that which we have wisely hoped for we 

 should steadfastly pursue. For if only we aim at 

 the topmost peak, it will be honour enough for us 

 to be seen even on the second summit. Have not the 30 

 Muses of Latium admitted to their sanctuaries, 

 not Accius ^ and Vergil alone, but also assigned seats 



" Columella expresses the sense, though not the exact word- 

 ing, of Cicero, Orat. 1-2. 



'' A tragic poet of the second century B.C., highly rated 

 by Quintilian (X. 1. 97). His works survive only in frag- 

 ments. See Warmington, Remains of Old Latin, II, L.C.L. 



23 



