Columnella

Columnella, L. JUNIUS MODERATUS, the most learned of Roman writers on practical agriculture, was born at Gades, in Spain, and flourished in the earlier part of the first century of the Christian era. For some time he resided in Syria, but lived chiefly at Rome, and died most probably at Tarentum. His great work, De Re Rustica, in 12 books—the tenth upon gardening, written in dactylic hexameters—is addressed to one Publius Silvinus, and treats of arable and pasture lands, culture of vines, olives, &c., care of domestic animals, &c., respectively duties of masters and servants, &c. A supplementary treatise relates to trees. This ancient 'Book of the Farm' is written in good Latin, and the information is copious, though not precise, and in some points of questionable accuracy. The best edition is that by Schneider in the Scriptores Rei Rusticæ (4 vols. Leip. 1794-97).