Isch. Did I not tell you long ago that of all arts husbandry was the noblest, the most generous, just because it is the easiest to learn?
Soc. That it is without a doubt, Ischomachus. It seems I must have known the processes of sowing, without being conscious of my knowledge. (19)
(19) Or, "but for all my science, I was ignorant (of knowing my own
knowledge)."
XIX
Soc. (continuing). But may I ask, is the planting of trees (1) a department in the art of husbandry?
(1) i.e. of fruit trees, the vine, olive, fig, etc.
Isch. Certainly it is.
Soc. How is it, then, that I can know about the processes of sowing and at the same time have no knowledge about planting?
Isch. Is it so certain that you have no knowledge?
Soc. How can you ask me? when I neither know the sort of soil in which to plant, nor yet the depth of hole (2) the plant requires, nor the breadth, or length of ground in which it needs to be embedded; (3) nor lastly, how to lay the plant in earth, with any hope of fostering its growth. (4)