PREFATORY NOTE

by the hand of one who is no longer able to speak in defense of his interpretation imposes many a delicate task. Naturally, there are numerous passages in the text of Columella, and also in the English version, which I would have handled somewhat differently from the manner in which they were treated by my predecessor if I had been free to shape things anew original: "de novo". However, this statement applies rather to materials involving the factors of taste and judgment than to those where the essential thought was an issue.

The reader might be reminded of the Bibliography prepared by the late Professor Ash and included in Vol. I of this Library. The works pertaining to Columella that are there cited were obviously made use of by Professor Forster, as they were also utilized by me.