Roman Farm Management | Page 7

(G. IV, 281: R.R.
II, 5, 5) and cf. the wisdom on this subject attributed to Varro by the
Geoponica (XV, 2).

CATO'S DE AGRICULTURA

_Introduction: of the dignity of the farmer_

The pursuits of commerce would be as admirable as they are profitable
if they were not subject to so great risks: and so, likewise, of banking,
if it was always honestly conducted. For our ancestors considered, and
so ordained in their laws, that, while the thief should be cast in double
damages, the usurer should make four-fold restitution. From this we
may judge how much less desirable a citizen they esteemed the banker
than the thief. When they sought to commend an honest man, they
termed him good husbandman, good farmer. This they rated the
superlative of praise.[9] Personally, I think highly of a man actively
and diligently engaged in commerce, who seeks thereby to make his
fortune, yet, as I have said, his career is full of risks and pitfalls. But it
is from the tillers of the soil that spring the best citizens, the stanchest
soldiers; and theirs are the enduring rewards which are most grateful
and least envied. Such as devote themselves to that pursuit are least of
all men given to evil counsels.
And now, to get to my subject, these observations will serve as preface
to what I have promised to discuss.
Of buying a farm (I)[10] When you have decided to purchase a farm, be
careful not to buy rashly; do not spare your visits and be not content
with a single tour of inspection. The more you go, the more will the
place please you, if it be worth your attention. Give heed to the
appearance of the neighbourhood,--a flourishing country should show
its prosperity. "When you go in, look about, so that, when needs be,
you can find your way out."
Take care that you choose a good climate, not subject to destructive
storms, and a soil that is naturally strong. If possible, your farm should
be at the foot of a mountain, looking to the South, in a healthy situation,
where labour and cattle can be had, well watered, near a good sized
town, and either on the sea or a navigable river, or else on a good and
much frequented road. Choose a place which has not often changed
ownership, one which is sold unwillingly, that has buildings in good
repair.
Beware that you do not rashly contemn the experience of others. It is
better to buy from a man who has farmed successfully and built
well.[11]

When you inspect the farm, look to see how many wine presses and
storage vats there are; where there are none of these you can judge what
the harvest is. On the other hand, it is not the number of farming
implements, but what is done with them, that counts. Where you find
few tools, it is not an expensive farm to operate. Know that with a farm,
as with a man, however productive it may be, if it has the spending
habit, not much will be left over.[12]
_Of the duties of the owner._
(II) When you have arrived at your country house and have saluted
your household, you should make the rounds of the farm the same day,
if possible; if not, then certainly the next day. When you have observed
how the field work has progressed,[13] what things have been done,
and what remains undone, you should summon your overseer the next
day, and should call for a report of what work has been done in good
season and why it has not been possible to complete the rest, and what
wine and corn and other crops have been gathered. When you are
advised on these points you should make your own calculation of the
time necessary for the work, if there does not appear to you to have
been enough accomplished. The overseer will report that he himself has
worked diligently, but that some slaves have been sick and others truant,
the weather has been bad, and that it has been necessary to work the
public roads. When he has given these and many other excuses, you
should recall to his attention the program of work which you had laid
out for him on your last visit and compare it with the results attained. If
the weather has been bad, count how many stormy days there have
been, and rehearse what work could have been done despite the rain,
such as washing and pitching the wine vats, cleaning out the barns,
sorting the grain, hauling out and composting the manure, cleaning
seed, mending the old gear, and making new, mending the smocks and
hoods furnished for the hands. On feast days the old ditches should be
mended,