The Gauls often grew several species in the same field to increase their chances of a good harvest. In the event of a bad year or massive infestation, a single species ran more risk of failing completely. These mixed seeds were known as méture or mixture. The plants were harvested in a single operation and either processed and stored together or separated at threshing.
The weeds from the fields, sometimes found in charred harvest leavings, show us the height at which the crop was cut. The systematic absence of plants with short stalks indicates that the farmers harvested the ears first and the straw was cut and gathered up in a second operation using a sickle or grazed by livestock, turned out in the fields after harvest.
The fields were well-maintained and manured. The Gauls grew cereals for eating and forage for their livestock.
The little Gallic cattle were very hardy and could probably overwinter in the field. However, it was often more worthwhile to keep them in a barn to monitor calving and milk production and to collect the manure to improve the fields and meadows.
