Farming

1. Farming Emma

2. Maintenance • The farms were staffed mostly by slaves from conquered countries.  • The estates often had a three levels. • First there was the land agent who ran the estate.  • Under him would be the field foreman and finally came the field workers. 

3. Food & Crops • Farmers used the fertile land around Rome to produce cereal grains, vegetables, olives, and grapes. • Along with their produce, farmers sold milk, cheese, and meat from their goats and sheep. • Rome also exported many of its farm products, especially wine.

4. Growing process • Most land in the area gets enough rain during the year to grow good crops. • Water must be saved because it rains mostly in the winter so the water must be saved for the upcoming growing season. • Once forests are cleared, the soil conservation needs to be in place each year to be sure the soil is not depleted.

5. Growing process continued • The Romans realized that the soil would become depleted if it did not receive fertilization.  • They would use manure (animal poo) from their farm animals to help revitalize their soils.

6. Grain in the making • Grain was harvested by hand until the first century. • Around this time, a reaping machine called a “Vallus Roman Farmint” was invented in Gaul, (modern day France) which aloud harvesting to be easier. • The wheat would be beaten to separate the outer covering from the kernels. • The beaten wheat were put into winnowing basket and then tossed into the air. • The lighter chaff would blow away while the heavy grains would fall back to the basket.

7. Sources • http://www.historylink101.com/lessons/farm-city/rome1.htm • Textbook • Google images • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_agriculture

8. Questions • What did the Romans use to revitalize soils? • What were some foods