18.8
And as soon as you have cleaned the corn over one half of the floor, will you at once go on throwing up the rest of the chaff while the corn lies about just as it is, or will you first sweep the clean corn towards the edge,The meaning of πόλος here is really unknown, I believe. so as to occupy the smallest space? Of course I shall first sweep the clean corn up, so that my chaff may be carried across into the empty space, and I may not have to throw up the same chaff twice.
18.9
Well, Socrates, it seems you are capable of teaching the quickest way of cleaning corn. I really wasn’t aware that I understood these things; and so I have been thinking for some time whether my knowledge extends to smelting gold, playing the flute, and painting pictures. For I have never been taught these things any more than I have been taught farming; but I have watched men working at these arts, just as I have watched them farming.
18.10
And didn’t I tell you just now that farming is the noblest art for this among other reasons, because it is the easiest to learn? Enough, Ischomachus; I know. I understood about sowing, it seems, but I wasn’t aware that I understood.
19.1
However, is the planting of fruit trees another branch of agriculture? I continued. It is, indeed, answered Ischomachus. Then how can I understand all about sowing, and yet know nothing of planting?
19.2
What, don’t you understand it? How can I, when I don’t know what kind of soil to plant in, nor how deep a hole to dig, nor how broad, nor how much of the plant should be buried, nor how it must be set in the ground to grow best?
19.3
Come then, learn whatever you don’t know. I am sure you have seen the sort of trenches they dig for plants. Yes, often enough. Did you ever see one more than three feet deep? No, of course not—nor more than two and a half. Well, did you ever see one more than three feet broad? Of course not, nor more than two feet. Come then, answer this question too.
