The work itself, which is still extant, consists of twenty books, and is compiled from various authors, whose names are always given, and of whom the following is an alphabetical list:- Sex. Julius AfricanusAnatolicus of Berytus [p. 161b.]AppuleiusAratus of SoliAristoteles, the philosopherDamogeronDemocritusDidymus of AlexandriaCassius Dionysius of UticaDiophanes of NicaeaFlorentinusFrontoHierocles, governor of Bithynia under DiocletianHippocrates, of Cos, a veterinary surgeon, at the time of Constantine the Great Leontinus or LeontiusNestor, a poet in the time of Alexander SeverusPamphilus of AlexandriaParamusPelagoniusPtolemaeus of Alexandriathe brothers Quintilius (Gordianus and Maximus)TarentinusTheomnestusVarroZoroaster

Cassianus Bassus has contributed only two short extracts of his own, namely, cc. 5 and 36 of the fifth book.

The various subjects treated of in the Geoponica will best appear from the contents of the different books, which are as follow: 1. Of the atmosphere and the rising and setting of the stars.2. Of general matters appertaining to agriculture, and of the different kinds of corn.3. Of the various agricultural duties suitable to each month.4 and 5. Of the cultivation of the vine.6-8. Of the making of wine.9. Of the cultivation of the olive and the making of oil.10-12. Of horticulture.13. Of the animals and insects injurious to plants.14. Of pigeons and other birds.15. Of natural sympathies and antipathies, and of the management of bees.16. Of horses, asses, and camels.17. Of the breeding of cattle.18. Of the breeding of sheep.19. Of dogs, hares, deer, pigs, and of salting meat.20. Of fishes.