BOOK I. V. 8"Vi. I 



accessible and unfavourably situated nith reference 

 to the sun and the sun-warmed breezes ; and if it is 

 cut off from these, no other force can dry up or clear 

 away the night frosts and any mould or dirt that has 

 settled there. And these are destructive not only 

 to men but to cattle and growing crops and their 

 fruits as well. 



But one who desires to erect a building on a 9 

 sloping site should always begin operations at the 

 loM'er side ; for when the foundations start from 

 the less elevated point, they will not only easily 

 support their own superstructure but vdW also serve 

 as a buttress and underpinning for any additions 

 which may later be made to the upper side, if it 

 should prove desirable to enlarge the villa — for of 

 course the previous structure below will offer strong 

 support for any that may be built above and rest on 

 it afterwards. On the contrary, if the foundation 10 

 at the upper side of the slope supports a load of its 

 own, anything that you may later add below will be 

 full of cracks and chinks ; for when new construction 

 is added to old, it draws away as if objecting to 

 the growing burden, and the older structure will 

 press upon it as it gives way until, gradually over- 

 powered by its own weight, it will topple in ruins. 

 Such a structural defect must therefore be avoided 

 at the start when the foundations are first laid. 



VI. The size of the villa and the number of its 

 parts should be proportioned to the whole inclosure. 

 and it should be divided into three groups : the 

 villa urbana"' or manor house, the villa rustica^ or 

 farmhouse, and the villa fructuaria or storehouse The 



'' Properly including quarters for the overseer, slaves, and 

 livestock. 



65 



