Dictionary of Greek and Roman antiquities. Ed. by William Smith. Illustrated by numerous engravings on wood.

62 AGRICULTURA. AGRICULTURA.
times plentifully supplied with salt. They were been transmitted to his progeny. (Virg. Geoly. iii
littered with leaves and twigs, which were fre- 387; Colum. vii. 3.)
quently changed, and the pens were kept care- Ewes were not considered fit for breeding until
fully clean. they were two years old, and they continued to
The more numerous flocks which were reared in produce until they had reached the age of seven:
extensive pastures (qui in saltibuspascuntuzr) usually rams (arietes) were believed to be in vigour from
passed the winter in the low plains upon the coast, three years old until eight. The most favourable
and were driven by regular drift roads (calles period for impregnation in the case of ewes that
publicae) in summer to the mountains of Central had not previously brought forth, was the latter
Italy, just as in modern timnes vast droves pass end of April, about the Palilia (21st April); for
every autumn from the Abruzzi to seek the more others, from the setting of Arcturus (13th May) to
genial climate of Puglia or the Maremma. Those the setting of the Eagle (23d July); and, since the
who were employed to watch them (opiliones) period of gestation was about 150 days, the earliest
being often at a great distance from home were lambs (acgni, agnae) would be yeaned in Septemfurnished with beasts of burden for transporting ber, the latest about the middle of December, these
the materials required in the construction of folds being, as was remarked by Celsus, the only
and huts, at their halting places, and all the stores animals produced with advantage in midwinter.
necessary for themselves and their charge. The Ewes when about to lamb (incientes) were placed
sheep were usually collected every night to secure apart, constantly watched, and assisted in parturithem against robbers and beasts of prey; in sum- tion. As soon as they had brought forth, the first
mer they fed in the morning and evening, and re- milk which was of a thick consistence, and called
posed during the noontide heat in sheltered spots, colostra, was carefully withdrawn, being considered
while in winter they were not allowed to go out injurious in all animals, and productive of a disease
until the frost was off the ground. The flocks named colostratio. The lambs were now tended
were often very numerous, containing sometimes with the greatest solicitude, were generally kept
15,000 head, one shepherd (opilio) being allowed in the house near a fire for some days, were not
to every five or six score. alloWed to go forth to pasture for a considerable
The breeds most prized by the early Romans time, but were partially reared by the hand on
were the Calabrian, the Apulian, which were short the most tender and nourishing food, being finally
woolled (breves villo), the Milesian, and, above all, weaned at the age of four months. Those lambs
the Tarentine; but in the time of Columella those which were carried in the womb longer than the
of Cisalpine Gaul from the vicinity of Altinum regular time were termed chordi; those born late
(Mart. xiv. 153), and those from the Campi Macri. in the season, serotini; those which, in consequence
round Parma and Mutina were especially es- of their mothers being unable to supply milk, were
teemed.. The system of crossing was by no means suckled by others, szubrmni. Castration was not perunknown; for M. Columella, the uncle of the formed upon such as were intended for wethers
author, produced an excellent variety by crossing (verveces) until five months old. The males set
the tectae oyes of Cadiz with some wild rams from apart to supply the deficiencies in the breeding
Africa, and again crossing their progeny with the flock (quos arzetes submitftere volnt) were selected
Tarentines. In purchasing stock attention was from the progeny of such ewes as usually gave
always paid to the localities where they were to birth to twins, those which were polled (muztili)
be maintained; thus sheep of large size (procerae being preferred on the whole to those with horns
oeves) were naturally deemed best fitted for rich (cornuti).
plains, stout compact animals (queads atae) for light The management of ovespellitae differed from that
hilly soils, and the smaller kinds (exigcuae) for of the ordinary greyes villatici merely in the amount
mountainous regions, just as in this country the of care with which they were tended. They were
Leicesters are kept with greatest advantage in the furnished with an ample supply of the most mllow-lying luxuriant pastures of Lincolnshire, tritious food, each individual receiving daily in
Cheviots in the grass hills from which they derive winter three sextarii (pints) of barley or of beans
their name, and the black-faced on the lofty moun- crushed in their pods (firesae cizm suzis vcalulis
tains of Wales and Scotland. As to colour, pure fabae), in addition to hay, lucerne, dry or green
white was most sought after; but certain natural cytisus, and other fodder. Their stalls were
tints, such as the dark grey (pullus), which distin- usually paved with stone, and kept scrupulously
guished the flocks of Pollentia in Liguria (fuiscique clean; they seldom left the house, and, when al-,firax Pollentia villi, Silius, viii. 599), the yel lowed to pasture, it was looked upon as essential
lowish brown (fuscus) in those of Corduba (so that the ground should be free from bushes and
often celebrated by Martial. v. 37, viii. 2. 8, ix. briars of every description which might tear their
62, xiv. 188; comp. Juv. xii. 40), and the red fleece or its covering. The jackets were frequently
brown (ruber) in some of the Asiatic varieties, taken off to cool the animals, the wool was combed
were highly prized. out at least thrice a year, and well washed and
The points characteristic of a good animal and annointed with oil and wine. The wethers were
the warranty usually required of the seller will be killed at two years old, their skin being then in
found fully detailed in Varro (ii. 2) and Columella perfection.
(vii. 2, 3). Sheep-shearing (tonsura) commenced in warnm
Those which were smooth and bare under the districts in April; but in cold situations was debelly (ventre glabro), anciently called apicae, were ferred until the solstice. A fine day was chosen,
always rejected, and particular care was taken that and the operation was performed before the sun had
the fleece of the ram should be perfectly pure, or attained to its full power, in order that the sheep
at least uniform in colour, his tongue also being might not be hot and the wool not moist. The most
examined in order to ascertain that it was not careful placed a rug under the animal (teticzlis
black or spotted, since such defects would have svljctis oves tloedere seklt) that no portion of the clip