BOOK II. X. 35-xi. 3 



and nearer black. It is sown at the first or second 

 ploughing in the month of March, according as the 

 richness of the soil requires, and the same considera- 

 tion determines the amount — four modii, sometimes 

 three, sometimes even two and a half to the mgerum. 

 XI. Since we have treated of the time at which 

 each sowing should be made, we shall now show what 

 method of cultivation is to be employed, and the 

 number of days' labour required for each of the crops 

 mentioned. After the sowing is finished, the next 

 matter is that of hoeing, a point on which authorities 

 are not agreed. Some say that this is of no advan- 

 tage, because the roots of the grain are uncovered by 

 the hoe and some of them are even cut off, and, if the 

 weather is cold after the hoeing, the grain is killed 

 by frost; but that it is better that weeding and 

 cleaning be done at the proper season. Still there 

 are many who believe in hoeing, but that it should 

 not be done everywhere in the same way and at the 

 same time ; thus, in dry and sunny fields, as soon 

 as the crops can stand hoeing, they should be covered 

 with well-stirred soil to enable them to bush out ; 

 and this should be done before winter, and then 

 repeated after winter is past ; while in cold and 

 swampy places, usually after winter is over, they 

 should be hoed without being covered over but 

 having the earth thoroughly stirred by level hoeing. 

 Nevertheless we find that winter hoeing is suited to 

 many regions, but only where dryness and warmth 

 of climate permit, though we think it best not to 

 practice even this everywhere but to conform to the 

 ways of those who live in the neighbourhood. For 

 countries have their own peculiar advantages, such 

 as those of Egypt and Africa, where the farmer does 



i8i 



