THE THEATRE OF AGRICULTURE

...to set up his house, and prescribe for him the manner of his household.

OUR intention is not to imagine here Elysian Fields In Greek mythology, the final resting place of the heroic and the virtuous; a paradise., or the Fortunate Isles; but simply to show the means of distinguishing, from among the lands one might own, the most convenient to acquire; and afterwards how to cultivate it with such profit as one should reasonably expect. In the choice of lands and in their cultivation, we seek what can be found and done. But just as in establishing a Republic, it is necessary to represent, as a preliminary, an Idea and perfect pattern De Serres refers to the Platonic "Ideal," suggesting that while no farm is perfect, one must have a perfect model in mind to strive toward. to which we relate the state under which we intend to live happily: So, in describing our Country Community, what shall prevent us from showing at this beginning what one may reasonably desire, and so hope for, that we might look upon what we can and must do, to approach by this means as closely as possible to the perfection that our Agriculture promises us? It is not, then, to fantasize about something impossible out of a vain curiosity, or to bring back to our century strictly original: "ric-à-ric," meaning "to the letter" or "exactly." everything the Ancients have written: but rather to put before your eyes this beautiful order, which may serve us, according to the extent that our land allows. This, then, is the design of the terrain that our Husbandman original: "Mesnager" — a term for the master of the house who manages the estate. may desire.

Qualities proposed for a good and beautiful place.

LET the domain be situated in good and healthy air, in a pleasant and fertile terrain, provided with sweet and wholesome waters, all level and joined in a single piece, of square or round shape. Noble, with full jurisdiction Meaning a seigniorial estate with legal rights over its inhabitants., the nearest inhabitants being subject to it: near good neighbors, and not far from a great and profitable road. Divided into Mountain, Hillside, and Plain. The Mountain, having the Bise The Bise is a cold, dry wind from the north or northeast. at its back and facing the Midday [South]; clothed with grasses for the nourishment of cattle, and with woods of all sorts for heating and building. The Hillside original: "Coustau" (modern: coteau)., in a similar aspect, below the mountain so as to be sheltered by it; on a foundation suited for vineyards, gardens, orchards, and similar delights. The Plain, not too flat, but rather slightly sloping to drain away rainwater; wide, of fat and fertile soil, soft and easy to labor; watered with sweet and fruitful water coming from above, to be distributed through all parts of the domain; in order to accommodate meadows, fish-ponds, pools, and aquatic trees: the plain divided in two, one for those uses, and the other for the cultivation of grain-land. Let there be, in some part of the domain, quarries and stone-pits, in order to draw stone for building: that which is good for lime, and other for plaster. Also, let there be found there earth suitable for making tiles for the roofs of the dwellings, so that one is not troubled to go far seeking these most necessary materials. Let this land not be far from the Sea or a navigable river (but without the threat of flooding), nor from a good city to sell commodities, build mills, and draw other conveniences: and in general, of easy cartage, and the countryside not too stony.

Necessary conveniences.

ONE could remark on many other singularities for both convenience and pleasure: but so that this discourse does not overstep the limits of reason, showing wishes rather than effects, let us restrict all these conveniences that we seek in our place to five, as the principal ones, necessary and sufficient for the support of this life: to the Air, the Water, the Earth, the Neighbor, and the Road. That is to say, in the health of the air, in the goodness of the water, in the passable or middling fertility of the earth, in the good neighbor, and in the profi-