[387] The threshing floor was made with an elevation in the middle, and the sides on an incline, to the bottom of which the largest grains would be the most likely to fall.
[388] “Far” or spelt is of a red hue in the exterior.
[389] This appearance is no longer to be observed, if, indeed, Pliny is correct: all kinds of corn are white in the interior of the grain.
[390] Hand-sowing is called by the French, “semer à la volée.”
[391] This occult or mysterious method of which Pliny speaks, consists solely of what we should call a “happy knack,” which some men have of sowing more evenly than others.
[392] Sors genialis atque fecunda est.
[393] This Chapter is mostly from Columella, B. ii. c. 9.
[394] In c. 19 of this Book.
[395] Probably the mixture called “farrago” in c. 10 and c. 41.
[396] Upon this point the modern agriculturists are by no means agreed.