17.7
Well now, is casting the seed a complicated problem? By all means let us take that also into consideration, Socrates. I presume that you know as well as I that the seed must be cast by the hand? Yes, I have seen it. Ah, he said, but some men can cast evenly, and some cannot. Then sowers no less than lyre-players need practice, that the hand may be the servant of the will. Certainly.
17.8
But suppose that some of the land is rather light and some rather heavy? What do you mean by that? I interrupted. By light do you mean weak, and by heavy, strong? Yes, I do; and I ask you whether you would give the same quantity of seed to both kinds, or to which you would give more?
17.9
Well, my principle is this: the stronger the wine, the more water I add; the stronger the bearer, the heavier the burden I put on his back; and if it is necessary to feed others, I should require the richest men to feed the greatest number. But tell me whether weak land, like draught animals, becomes stronger when you put more corn into it.
