Editing Columella (section)

===Sources===
In addition to Cato the Elder and Varro, Columella used many sources that are no longer extant and for which he is one of the few references. These include works by [[Aulus Cornelius Celsus]], the [[Carthage|Carthaginian]] writer [[Mago (agricultural writer)|Mago]], [[Tremellius Scrofa]], and many [[ancient Greece|Greek]] sources. His uncle Marcus Columella, "a clever man and an exceptional farmer" (VII.2.30), had conducted experiments in [[Sheep farming|sheep breeding]], crossing colourful wild rams, introduced from Africa for gladiatorial games, with domestic sheep,<ref name=enc /> and may have influenced his nephew's interests. Columella owned farms in [[Italia (Roman province)|Italy]]; he refers specifically to estates at Ardea, Carseoli, and Alba,<ref name=lacus /> and speaks repeatedly of his own practical experience in agriculture.