BOOK IX. I. 4-7 



the provinces of Gaul and in certain others ; for there 

 is both a great abundance of timber for making posts 

 and everything else which is needed for the purpose 

 is in abundant supply. The soil abounds in frequent 5 

 springs, which is particularly wholesome for the 

 above-named kinds of animals ; then too it furnishes 

 wild creatures with fodder most liberally even of its own 

 accord. Woodlands are chiefly chosen which abound 

 in the fruits of the ground and also in trees ; for as 

 these creatures have need of grass, so too they re- 

 quire the fruits of oak-trees, and those woods are most 

 highly commended which are most productive of the 

 acorn of the ordinary oak and of the evergreen oak 

 and likewise of the Turkey-oak, also of the fruit of the 

 strawberry-tree and the other wild fruits which we 

 described in great detail when we were discussing 

 farm-yard pigs.* For the fodder of wild cattle is 

 almost the same as that of domestic animals. 



Nevertheless the careful head of a household ought 6 

 not to be content with the foods which the earth 

 produces by its own nature, but, at the seasons of the 

 year when the woods do not provide food, he ought 

 to come to the help of the animals which he has con- 

 fined with the fruits of the harvest which he has 

 stored up, and feed them on barley or wheat-meal or 

 beans, and especially, too, on grape-husks ; in a 

 word, he should give them whatever costs the least. 

 Also in order that the wild creatures may understand 

 that provision is being made for them, it will be a 

 good plan to send among them one or two animals 

 which have been tamed at home, and which, roaming 

 through the whole park, may direct the hesitating 

 creatures to the fare offered to them. It is advisable 7 

 that this should be done not only during the scarce 



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