Re: [tied] Agriculture [was Re: PIE's closest relatives]

18-01-04 17:46, ehlsmith wrote:

> I understand the need to clearly differentiate between plant
> production and animal production when discussing Neolithic cultures,
> which was why I wondered if the exclusion of animal husbandry
> from "agriculture" was a specialized usage in anthropology. It would
> be very convenient if that is in fact the case. If it is not the case
> however, unilaterally coming up with such a definition for use on
> this list could lead to more confusion, not less. Quotes from other
> sources could include the broader definition while listmembers might
> assume only the narrower definition was meant. Is the
> term "horticulture" appropriate for all non-livestock farming? I have
> seen it used for various cultures, including maize-growing ones.
> Could it be used for any plant-producing, non-livestock-raising
> culture?

"Horticulture" is the cultivation of gardens and orchards (as opposed to
fields) and the production of vegatables as well as fruits (pomiculture,
if you need a precise term) and flowers (floriculture). I think that in
technical usage a more-or less distinction is maintained between
"agriculture" and "farming" (in the broad sense). Thus, farming includes
agriculture (as its cereal component), horticulture, grassland
cultivation, stock breeding, poultry raising, apiculture (beekeeping and
honey production) etc. It never hurts to be precise, especially when a
term is used in its etymological meaning (ager = 'field'). At least it
gives you the certainty that if there is confusion you can't be held
responsible for it :-)

Piotr