Chapter 220: Experts See the Doorway
"How do you grow rice in your paddy fields?" Several planting experts from Sinong Temple could tell the difference between paddy fields and rice seedlings at a glance.
The seedlings in the paddy fields are green, tender and particularly vigorous, and it is obvious that they are growing well.
The wheat next to it is thick and has begun to ear. If it hadn't rained today, it would have bloomed.
The wheat in the fields next to it is obviously much worse. It grows sparsely and the stalks are not as thick as here. As for heading, it will take at least four or five days.
"This was originally a wasteland. It was just opened last year. We first hoeed the land, and then deep plowed it three or four times using the Jiangdong plow. We not only applied farmyard manure, but also used humus as base fertilizer. It took several months to cultivate it." Su Bucheng introduced.
"So fast?" The planting expert was very surprised.
It is impossible to turn a piece of wasteland into fertile land within three to five years.
"Yes, this wheat field is the one we used for our experiment. The one next to it is a comparison field that was reclaimed at the same time and doesn't have compost."
"This method is wonderful! We have been farming all our lives, but we have never heard of it. It is so narrow-minded!" Several experts exclaimed in admiration.
If you tell them that this method can increase soil fertility before they see the results, they will scoff.
But now seeing the sharp contrast, they are convinced and feel that their eyes have been broadened.
Regardless of the drizzling rain, they took off their official robes, shoes and socks, put on straw raincoats and hats, and went out to the fields.
This made it difficult for officials like Dou Jing to just stand there, so they took off their shoes and socks and went out.
"Where do these winter wheat seeds come from?" The experts gathered in the wheat field to check the wheat ears.
The wheat ears are fat and strong. After flowering, as long as the temperature is suitable and there is no sudden cold or heat, the grains of the wheat ears will be large and full!
Sudden cooling will delay the ripening time, while sudden heating will accelerate grain filling, causing the wheat to mature prematurely and increase the number of barren grains.
"Uh, the wheat seeds were distributed by the county government." Su Bucheng replied.
"Is your Wuxian wheat seeds so high-quality?" The experts' eyes were as sharp as hungry wolves.
"Ah?" County Magistrate Hu was stunned. It was impossible.
"No, Wu County is poor, and the wheat seeds are average, with many empty grains and some underdeveloped and inferior seeds. When we select the seeds, we filter out two-thirds.
Before sowing, in addition to deep plowing the ground and spreading mulch as base fertilizer, we also soaked the wheat seeds in warm water three hours in advance." Su Bucheng came to the rescue of County Magistrate Hu.
"Soak the wheat seeds in warm water?" The experts were shocked. Is there a master hiding here?
"Who taught you this? Is it convenient for us to meet with you? I want to ask you something!" The experts were full of curiosity.
Ordinary wheat seeds can achieve such a huge change with just the fertilizing method and seed soaking method. If promoted, the grain production of the entire Tang Dynasty can be greatly increased!
"Uh, it's my daughter!" Su Bucheng couldn't hide.
When he met an expert, the questions he asked were professional and tricky, and Su Laosan couldn't fool him with his answers.
"Master Su, we are sincerely asking for your advice. How can you just give us a perfunctory response?" The experts refused, thinking that Su Bucheng was unwilling to let the master show up.
"Sir Su, these methods of growing grain are very important to the grain-exclusive zone. Please don't hide them." Dou Jing also advised.
Dou Jing is a bit of an expert and knows that increasing grain production often depends on some inconspicuous details.
"Sir, I am not making excuses. This is what my daughter Su Ying said." Su Bucheng was speechless.
"Then please come in quickly, we have some questions!" The experts' eyes sparkled.
If those questions could be answered, grain production would increase not only in Lingnan but also in other places.
"Aying! Aying!" Hu Zi, Asan, Amu and other children came running over.
"What's the matter?" Su Ying was cleaning the house in the broken yard. She immediately started raising silkworms and cleaned the silkworm room.
"The Governor, Su Cunlao and others are here, along with many high-ranking officials from the imperial court!"
The children could not distinguish between ranks, they only knew that they came from the imperial court, and in their simple understanding, they were high-ranking officials in the imperial court.
"I'll go and take a look!" Su Ying put down her tools and followed the children to the fields.
Halfway through the journey, I met my brother, "Aying, hurry up, the master is calling you to ask you something."
"Ask me?" Su Ying paused.
"Yes, several planting experts from Sinong Temple have come and want to ask some questions about our experimental field." Su Boyan said concisely.
"Isn't Third Uncle here? It's different if I ask him." Su Ying laughed.
Uncle San goes to the fields every day to observe and record, so he knows the most clear and detailed information.
"No, they didn't ask about growth or data, but something else," Su Boyan replied.
When the brother and sister arrived at the experimental site, they saw a huge crowd of people standing on the edge of the field.
When they saw Su Ying, everyone stood in the field and made way for her.
The ridges of the field were so muddy that Su Ying had to take off her shoes and socks, otherwise she would not be able to walk.
"Are you Su Ying?" Several experts stared at the skinny girl, doubting the authenticity of this matter.
"Yes! Greetings, gentlemen!" Su Ying saw Dou Jing, who was wearing a dark crimson official robe, among the people present and knew that he was the highest-ranking one.
"I heard from your father that you used the warm water soaking method for your wheat seeds." The experts didn't like to be polite and went straight to the point.
"yes!"
"Excuse me, lady, how did you know this method?" The experts stared at her, and everyone else's eyes fell on Su Ying.
"I believe many of you have read "Qimin Yaoshu"?" Su Ying said with a smile.
"Of course, we know the farming season book by heart." The experts said in unison.
"Do you still remember the description of how rice germinates in Qi Min Yao Shu?" Su Ying asked.
"Of course you remember. Wash it clean, remove the floating grains, soak it for three nights, filter it out, and wrap it in straw. After three nights, it will germinate. When the sprouts are two centimeters long, you can sow the seeds." The experts answered immediately.
This is the method of germinating rice by direct seeding.
"The idea of the wheat seed soaking method comes from it. All seeds can be germinated using different soaking methods, which will increase the germination rate and survival rate of the seeds." Su Ying said with a smile.
Seed soaking is a commonly used method in modern agricultural planting. It is generally soaked in warm water, and some will add nutrient solution to promote growth.
These were accumulated bit by bit by farmers in practice over thousands of years. Later, with the rapid development of science, agricultural experts summarized and refined them and applied them flexibly.
This simple method of soaking wheat seeds in warm water was truly amazing at that time.
"Is it that simple?" Several experts thought there would be a long discussion, but they didn't expect that it would be inspired by rice seeds.
It seems that after a lifetime of research, my brain has become old and my thinking has become rigid.
"Thank you for your advice!" The experts bowed to Su Ying and expressed their gratitude.
What I learned is not only how to soak wheat seeds, but also how to broaden my thinking and not be bound by conventional patterns.
Dou Jing listened silently. The little girl was very knowledgeable. Su Bucheng was amazing. He had a good daughter.
The experts gathered around Su Ying and talked about the method of fertilizing the fields, leaving Dou Jing, Lu Zhaoshi and others aside.
We were so excited to chat that we went down to the paddy fields.
When you step on it, you will find the soil is soft and fine. You can't feel any particles or debris in it. Your feet are stuck in the mud. When you lift your feet, you feel a suction force, and when you step on them again, there is a sizzling sound.
It can be seen that this land has been deeply plowed several times and cultivated carefully. All the stones, particles, dead branches and leaves in it have been picked up. It must have taken a lot of effort to create this field.
The layman watches the excitement, while the expert watches the details.
When the experts stepped on the lush, soft and fine paddy fields, they knew that good crops could not be grown in such paddy fields, which was against the will of heaven!
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