A second tithe had to be furnished at a price fixed by the Roman Senate, which price was considered to be below that of its real value, and then 800,000 bushels were purchased, or nominally purchased, at a price which was also fixed by the Senate, but which was nearer to the real value.

Three sesterces a bushel for the first and four for the last, were the prices fixed at this time.

For making these payments vast sums of money were remitted to Verres, of which the accounts were so kept that it was hard to say whether any found its way into the hands of the farmers who undoubtedly furnished the corn.

The third corn tax was the "aestimatum." This consisted of a certain fixed quantity which had to be supplied to the Praetor for the use of his governmental establishment--to be supplied either in grain or in money.

What such a one as Verres would do with his, the reader may conceive.
All this was of vital importance to Rome.