(III) In his youth, the farmer ought, diligently to plant his land, but he should ponder before he builds.  Planting does not require reflection, but demands action.  It is time enough to build when you have reached your thirty-sixth year, if you have farmed your land well meanwhile.  When you do build, let your buildings be proportioned to your estate, and your estate to your buildings[18].  It is fitting that the farm buildings should be well constructed, that you should have ample oil cellars and wine vats, and a good supply of casks, so that you can wait for high prices, something which will redound to your honour, your profit and your self-respect.

(IV) Build your dwelling house in accordance with your means.  If you build well in a good situation and on a good property, and furnish the house suitably for country life, you will come there more often and more willingly[19].  The farm will then be better, fewer mistakes will be made, and you will get larger crops.  The face of the master is good for the land.[20]

(VI) Plant elm trees along the roads and fence rows, so that you may have the leaves to feed the sheep and cattle, and the timber will be available if you need it.  If any where there are banks of streams or wet places, there plant reeds; and surround them with willows that the osiers may serve to tie the vines.

(VII) It is most convenient to set out the land nearest the house as an orchard, whence fire wood and faggots may be sold and the supply of the master obtained.  In this enclosure should be planted every thing fitting to the land and vines should be married to the trees.[21]

(VIII) Near the house lay out also a garden with garland flowers and vegetables[22] of all kinds, and set it about with myrtle hedges, both white and black, as well as Delphic and Cyprian laurel.

Of stocking the farm

(X) An olive farm of two hundred and forty jugera (160 acres) ought to be stocked as follows:  an overseer, a house keeper, five labourers, three ox drivers, one swineherd, one ass driver, one shepherd; in all thirteen hands:  three pair of oxen,[23] three asses with pack saddles, to haul out the manure, one other ass to turn the mill, and one hundred sheep.[24]

Of the duties of the overseer.[25]

(V) These are the duties of the overseer:  He should maintain discipline.  He should observe the feast days.  He should respect the rights of others and steadfastly uphold his own.  He should settle all quarrels among the hands; if any one is at fault he should administer the punishment.  He should take care that no one on the place is in want, or lacks food or drink; in this respect he can afford to be generous, for he will thus more easily prevent picking and stealing.[26]