Economics

Then, Socrates, let me refresh your memory on the subject of agriculture; but where do you wish me to begin? For I am aware that I shall tell you very much that you know already about the right method of farming.

First, Ischomachus, I think I should be glad to learn, for this is the philosopher’s way, how I am to cultivate the land if I want to get the heaviest crops of wheat and barley out of it.

Well, you know, I take it, that fallow must be prepared for sowing?Yes, I know.

Suppose, then, we start ploughing in winter?Why, the land will be a bog!How about starting in summer?The land will be hard to plough up.

It seems that spring is the season for beginning this work.Yes, the land is likely to be more friable if it is broken up then.Yes, and the grass turned up is long enough at that season to serve as manure, but, not having shed seed, it will not grow.

You know also, I presume, that fallow land can’t be satisfactory unless it is clear of weeds and thoroughly baked in the sun?Yes, certainly; that is essential, I think.

Do you think that there is any better way of securing that than by turning the land over as often as possible in summer?Nay, I know for certain that if you want the weeds to lie on the surface and wither in the heat, and the land to be baked by the sun, the surest way is to plough it up at midday in midsummer.

And if men prepare the fallow by digging, is it not obvious that they too must separate the weeds from the soil?Yes, and they must throw the weeds on the surface to wither, and turn up the ground so that the lower spit[*](Literally, the crude land.) may be baked.

You see, then, Socrates, that we agree about the fallow.It does seem so, to be sure.And now as to the time for sowing, Socrates. Is it not your opinion that the time to sow is that which has been invariably found to be the best by past experience, and is universally approved by present practice?

For as soon as autumn ends, all men, I suppose, look anxiously to God, to see when he will send rain on the earth and make them free to sow.Yes, Ischomachus, all men have made up their minds, of course, not to sow in dry ground if they can help it, those who sowed without waiting to be bidden by God having had to wrestle with many losses.