CHAP. 7.—COPS WHICH TEND TO IMPROVE THE LAND: CROPS
WHICH EXHAUST IT.
Cato [Note] says, also, that there are some crops which tend to
nourish the earth: thus, for instance, corn land is manured by
the lupine, the bean, and the vetch; while, on the other hand,
the chick-pea exercises a contrary influence, both because it is
pulled up by the roots and is of a salt nature; the same is the
case, too, with barley, fenugreek, and fitches, all of which have
a tendency to burn up [Note] corn land, as, in fact, do all those
plants which are pulled up by the roots. Take care, too, not to
plant stone-fruits on corn land. Virgil [Note]
is of opinion, also, that
corn land is scorched by flax, oats, and poppies.
