OF THE THEATRE OF AGRICULTURE

original: "Tu n'employeras ton labeur / En terre de bonne senteur." A traditional maxim suggesting that healthy soil has a distinct, agreeable fragrance, often described as "sweet."

Those lands that are too stony, or plagued by rocks, are placed in the rank of those which, by producing an abundance of fern and rush jong: likely common rushes found in marshy or poor soil, manifest their inability to do well.

Good soil. Terrains left fallow or wild, among which are found the remains of ancient buildings, are undoubtedly the best. The reason is that, having been seasoned and "cooked" over time The author uses the concept of "cooking" (cuits) to describe the weathering and mellowing of soil by the elements, and mixed with the sands and lime of buildings demolished by fire or age, they have become more friable friable: easily crumbled, allowing roots to penetrate and air to circulate, and consequently easy to cultivate. By this means, they possess both richness and sweetness, qualities necessary for the production of all fruits.

The proof of the soil. Good, VIRGIL, Columella, Palladius, and other Ancients These are classical Roman authors whose works on farming—such as Virgil’s Georgics—remained the standard textbooks for Renaissance agriculturists, have taught us proofs to recognize the capacity of terrains. Earth that is entirely good cannot all be contained within the pit from which it was freshly dug, no matter how much effort one makes to pack it back; this is because it swells in the air, like dough by leaven. Bad & Middling. Bad and overly light soil, being aired out by its digging, will diminish so much that it cannot occupy the same space it did before being pulled from the pit. Middling soil will simply fill it, without excess or deficiency. That which sticks to the hands like glue when wet and soaked in water is rich and fertile. They also commanded that some earth be dissolved in water, to judge by the sweetness of the water that drains through a cloth the sweetness of the earth: rejecting as useless that from which the water comes out either stinking, salty, or with some other bad odor or flavor.

Another proof OPENING and digging into the earth is a certain means of knowing its capacity: for it being a thing confessed by all that the best part is on the surface, the deeper one finds soil similar to that on top, the more fertile the terrain will be. But in few places does one find that its goodness goes very deep (unless by a special gift of Nature). One should be satisfied if it penetrates a good foot into the earth (this same measure, or a little more, will suffice even for fruit trees). The remainder is almost sterile because of its bitterness and rawness. Where this subsoil is pure sand, it will, through its dryness, draw away the moisture and richness of the good soil above, leaving it meager and loose. This causes the necessity of manuring it often (as is seen in many parts of France, even in Paris and its surroundings, where sand is dug for building). This is an evil not feared in lands resting on a foundation of clay, gravel, or even solid rock, for these do not consume the fertilizers, but rather retain them for the utility of the field's surface.

Through Experience. These are indeed indicators of the capacity of terrains, but they are not proofs as certain as Experience. For in truth, the colors of the earth sometimes deceive, as there are soils of almost every color that yield a passable return: just as it is said of horses and dogs, that good and bad ones are found in every coat color. And if it so happens that you cannot know for certain what the average annual yield is for the land you wish to acquire, resort to this infallible guide: of the trees, which is the mere sight of the trees of all kinds, wild and cultivated. Their size or smallness, beauty or ugliness, abundance or rarity will serve you in making a solid judgment on the fertility or sterility of the region. Above all these trees, the wild pears, apples, and plums, growing on their own accord...