Chapter 115 - Chapter 115: Chapter 115: A Pleasant Conversation with Madam Yuan_l (1/2)

Chapter 115: Chapter 115: A Pleasant Conversation with Madam Yuan_l

Translator: 549690339

“Are there un-cultivable lands in the governmental city too?” Wei Ruo inquired.

“Well, unlike Xingshan County by the sea, there are no completely infertile lands here, but a majority of the land is barren and the soil is compacted, so crop yield is cause for worry,” Madam Yuan answered.

From that, one can see the enormity of the gift Madam Yuan had bestowed upon Wei Ruo: a thousand acres of rare and valuable arable land.

“That can be managed. Once you’ve taken me for a field inspection, I should, in theory, be able to come up with a solution for enriching the soil. After improving the land, we can then proceed with planting, which should yield some increase in grain production,” said Wei Ruo.

Improving barren soil is much easier than saline-alkaline soils. It takes less time and is not that challenging as long as the right remedy is applied in addressing the root cause.

Madam Yuan’s face brightened: “That would be wonderful!”

“Moreover, I have noticed during my time around the town that not many mountainsides have been turned into terraced fields. I assume it’s because the cost of development is too high,” said Wei Ruo.

“That’s correct.”

“In that case, I would suggest planting sweet potatoes, which are currently grown in Huzhou Prefecture,” suggested Wei Ruo.

“Sweet potatoes?”

“Yes, it’s a new type of crop introduced by merchant ships from the Southern Ocean. They are already being grown in some Xingshan households and have yielded a good harvest this year.”

“That indeed sounds like a good idea. I just wonder if those who are already growing sweet potatoes would be willing to share seeds with us,” Madam Yuan expressed her concern.

“Madam, there’s no need to worry about that. I know the family growing sweet potatoes in Xingshan. I can ask them to provide vine cuttings for the Government Office for free, which can then be allocated to the town’s people,” Wei Ruo replied.

“If that is true, both you and the family with the vine cuttings would be regarded as noble exemplars of understanding morality and generous selflessness,” Madam Yuan couldn’t help but praise.

“Actually, hiding the sweet potato cuttings is impossible. They propagate through vine cuttings grown from the sweet potato tuber. As long as there is one vine cutting, it can propagate. Moreover, many crops yield higher the more they are planted, so there is no need to hide and not let others plant,” Wei Ruo explained.

For crops like sweet potatoes that consume tubers, those that do not require pollination are generally better. Crops needing pollination would certainly show better yield when everyone sows high-quality varieties, resulting in quality fruits.

“Splendid!” said Madam Yuan, her heart cheered despite her lack of knowledge about agriculture.

“Can sweet potatoes be planted immediately?” Madam Yuan asked.

Wei Ruo shook her head: “Everything has a season, for sweet potatoes we will have to wait until next spring.”

“Do you have any quicker measures? I fear the people won’t be able to wait that long,” Madam Yuan asked.

“There is, indeed, the method I’m currently implementing in Xingshan county. We can start planting wheat right now, and after the wheat is harvested next year, we will plant rice. For circumstances where weather patterns cannot be changed, multi-seasonal farming is a good method, albeit it makes the farmers’ work more laborious,” said Wei Ruo.

“Though it’s laborious, if they could have enough to eat, the joy would outweigh the hardship for them,” said Madam Yuan.

“Also, I know a cold-resistant variety of rice. Planting this rice variety next year could improve the grain reduction problem caused by adverse weather to some extent,” Wei Ruo added.

Thus, with Wei Ruo’s comprehensive approach, multiple measures could be implemented to increase production in Taizhou prefecture.

Madam Yuan breathed a sigh of relief: “If this could be achieved, I will definitely let my husband report your merit to the court. Let everyone know that even a woman of high-born status can save the world and seek blessings for the people.”