BOOK II. VIII. 5-ix. 4 



emmer than wheat, as it has a husk enclosing it which 

 is tough and resistant to moisture for a longer period. 

 IX. A iugenim of rich land usually requires four 

 modii of wheat; " land of medium quality, five; it calls 

 for nine viodii of emmer if the soil is fertile, and ten if 

 it is ordinary. For although there is little agreement 

 among authorities as to the quantity, yet my own 

 experience has shown that this amount seems best 

 suited; and anyone who does not care to comply 

 with this may follow the directions of those \vho 

 instruct us to sow a rich field with eight modii of wheat 

 a iugerum, and the same for emmer, and who hold that 

 seed should be supplied to medium land in this 

 proportion. My opinion is that not even the amount 2 

 which I have mentioned above is always to be held to, 

 for the reason that conditions of place or season or 

 weather cause it to vary: of place, according as the 

 grain is sown on level ground or hillsides, and these, 

 too, either fat or medium or lean ; of season, according 

 as we cast the seed in autumn or even at the onset of 

 winter, for the earlier sowing allows a lighter seeding 

 while the later requires it to be heavier; of weather, 

 according as it is rainy or dry, for the former requires 

 the same as the early sowing, and the latter the same 

 as the late. Further, every sort of grain especially 3 

 delights in ground that is open and sloping toward 

 the sun, warm and loose; for though hilly ground 

 produces a somewhat stronger grain, it yields a 

 smaller crop of wheat. Soil that is heavy, chalky, 

 and wet is not unsuited to the growing of winter 

 wheat and emmer. Barley tolerates no place except 

 one that is loose and dry. And the first mentioned 4 

 grains require ground that lies fallow and is worked 

 by turns in alternate years and that is as rich as 



145 



