BOOK II. IX. 10-12 



crushed root of the same, dilute it ^vath water, and 

 after soaking the seeds in the same way they consign 

 them to the earth." Others sprinkle the furrows with 

 this same liquid or with unsalted lees of oil, when the 

 crop begins to be infested, and so drive off the 

 destructive creatures. 



The next direction that I have to offer is that when 

 the crops have been harvested and are on the thresh- 

 ing-floor, we should consider the sowing that is to 

 follow. For, as Celsus remarks, when the harvest 11 

 is just ordinary we should select all the best heads 

 and store the seed from them by itself; when, in 

 turn, there is a more generous yield, everything 

 that is threshed out should be cleaned with a sieve, 

 and the grain that settles to the bottom because 

 of its size and weight should always be kept for seed. 

 This is a most beneficial measure because, while grain 

 deteriorates more rapidly in damp places, it also does 

 so in dry places unless such pains are taken. For 12 

 there is no doubt that from strong seed there can be 

 produced seed that has no strength ; but it is 

 obvious that what is produced continuously from 

 weak seed can never acquire strength. For that 

 reason Vergil, in treating of other matters, has also 

 expressed himself very clearly on the subject of 

 seeds, as follows ; 



Some I have seen deteriorate, though chosen with 



great care 

 And long examination, if with toil of man 

 The largest were not hand-picked every year. 

 But so the will of Fate. All things are doomed 

 To hasten to the worse and, downward turned, 

 To take a backward course.'* 



151 



