BOOK 11. XXI. 2-4 



And yet the pontiffs assert that a grain-field should 2 

 not be fenced on holidays ; they also forbid the wash- 

 ing of sheep for the good of the fleece, except as a 

 curative measure. Vergil is instructing us as to the 

 lawfulness of washing the flock in a river on holidays, 

 and for that reason he adds " to dip in wholesome 

 stream " — that is, in a healing stream ; for there are 

 ailments because of which it is expedient to bathe 

 the cattle.*^ Furthermore, the religious observances 3 

 of our forefathers permit these tasks also on holidays : ^ 

 the braying of spelt ; the cutting of torches ; the 

 dipping of candles ; the tilhng of a leased vineyard ; 

 the clearing out and cleaning of fish-ponds, cisterns, 

 and old ditches ; the sickling <^ of meadows ; the 

 spreading of manure ; the storing of hay in the loft ; 

 the gathering of the fruits of a leased olive-grove ; the 

 spreading of apples, pears, and figs to dry ; the making 

 of cheese ; the carrying of trees for planting, either 

 on our own shoulders or with a pack mule. But it is 

 not permitted to haul them with a yoked animal, nor 

 to plant them after they are transported, nor to open 

 the ground, nor to thin a tree ; <* and not to assist 4 

 in the sowing either unless you have first sacrificed a 

 puppy, nor to cut hay or bind it or haul it ; and it is not 

 permissible either by the ordinances of the pi'iests 

 for the vintage to be gathered on feast days, nor to 

 shear sheep, unless you have sacrificed a puppy. It is 

 also lawful to make boiled must and to boil wine. To 

 gather grapes and olives for preserving is likewise 

 lawful. It is not lawful to clothe sheep with skins.* 



• Certain breeds of fine-wooled sheep were jacketed 

 with skins to keep their fleeces free from dirt, etc. ; Varro, 

 E.H. II. 2. 18; Pliny, .V.^. VIII. 47. Cohimella devotes a 

 chapter {VII. 4) to the care of these delicate animals. 



