BOOK VII. in. 21-24 



on the other hand the lack of food in winter is relieved 

 by putting food for them under cover in their folds. 

 They can be most conveniently fed on leaves of elm 

 or ash which have been kept in store or on autumn 

 hay, which is called the " after-crop " ; for it is softer 

 and therefore pleasanter than the early crop. Shrub- 22 

 trefoil and cultivated vetch also make excellent 

 fodder ; but, when all else has failed, chaff of dried 

 pulse must be used as a last resort, for barley by itself 

 or chickling-vetch crushed with beans is too ex- 

 pensive to be provided at a reasonable price in dis- 

 tricts near towns ; but, wherever their cheapness 

 allows, they are undoubtedly the best food. As for 23 

 the times at which sheep ought to be fed and taken 

 to water during the summer, my opinion is the same 

 as that delivered by Maro : 



At Lucifer's first rising let us haste 

 To the cool fields, while yet the dawn is new, 

 And turf still hoary, and on tender grass 

 The dew is sweetest to the feeding herd. 

 Then, when the sky's fourth hour brings thirst to all, 

 Let's lead the flocks to wells and deep-dug 

 pools,** 



and in the middle of the day, as the same poet says, 

 let us conduct them to a valley. 



Where haply Jove's great oak with hardwood old 

 Stretches its giant branches or a grove 

 Black with thick holm-oaks broods with holy 

 shade. '' 



Then, when the heat is abated, let us again conduct 24 



» VergU, Oeorg. III. 324 ff. » Ih., 332-334. 



253 



