There is here, however, a difficulty for R. Johanan! — Tannaim [differ in this matter], for it was taught: A man may bring [as first-fruits] what [is grown] on a roof or among ruins and also make the recital; but what [is grown] in a plant-pot and in a ship he may not bring at all. ALL [OFFERINGS] MUST BE OFFERED FROM THE CHOICEST PRODUCE etc. Johana and Mamre said to Moses, ‘Wouldst thou carry straw to Hafaraim?’ He answered them, ‘There is a common saying. "Bring herbs to Herbtown".’ MISHNAH. ONE MAY NOT BRING [IT] FROM THE PRODUCE OF A MANURED FIELD OR FROM AN IRRIGATED FIELD OR FROM A FIELD STOCKED WITH TREES; BUT IF ONE DID BRING IT [FROM THESE] IT WAS VALID. HOW WAS IT PREPARED? IN THE FIRST YEAR IT WAS BROKEN UP AND IN THE SECOND YEAR IT WAS SOWN SEVENTY DAYS BEFORE PASSOVER; THUS IT WOULD PRODUCE FINE FLOUR IN ABUNDANCE. HOW WAS IT TESTED? THE TEMPLE-TREASURER USED TO THRUST HIS HAND INTO IT; IF SOME DUST CAME UP IN [HIS HAND] IT WAS INVALID, UNTIL IT WAS SIFTED [ONCE MORE]. IF IT HAD BECOME MAGOTTY IT IS INVALID. GEMARA. How WAS IT PREPARED? IN THE FIRST YEAR IT WAS BROKEN UP etc. The question was raised: What is meant by this? [Does it mean that] it was broken up in the first year and in the second year it was again broken up and then sown, or that it was broken up in the first year and in the second year it was sown without having been broken up again? — Come and hear: R. Jose said, They would have brought it even from the wheat of Karzaim and of Kefar Ahim if only they had been nearer to Jerusalem; since they may bring the ‘Omer-offering only from the fields in the south, and which had been broken up for the purpose, for upon these fields the sun rises and upon these the sun sets. How was [the field] prepared? In the first year it was broken up and in the second year it was ploughed twice, and it was sown seventy days before the Passover so that it might be close upon the [increasing strength of the] sun; thus it would bring forth stalks one span long and ears two spans long. It was then reaped, bound into sheaves, threshed, winnowed, cleansed, ground, and sifted, and then brought to the Temple-treasurer. The Temple-treasurer would thrust his hand into it; if some dust came up in his hand he would say to him [who brought it]. ‘Go and sift it a second time’ — In the name of R. Nathan it is said, The Temple-treasurer used to smear his hand with oil and thrust it into the flour until he had brought up all the dust. Now it expressly stated above, ‘[And in the second year] it was ploughed twice’! — But even as you would have it, [is not this Baraitha in conflict with our Mishnah]? For our Mishnah does not say ‘twice’,ᵃᵇᶜᵈᵉᶠᵍʰⁱʲᵏˡᵐⁿᵒᵖᵠʳˢᵗᵘ