Table 4 The expression of “manpower” in fertilization practice in agricultural books of the past dynasties.
From: The manuring principles in ancient China from the perspective of the San Cai theory
Period | Records | Meaning | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
Pre-Qin | 草人, 掌土化之法, 以物地；相其宜而为之种 | Agricultural officials master the methods of enriching the soil and choose suitable crops based on the characteristics of the land. | Zhou Li(周礼) (Zhou, 2014) |
Pre-Qin | 地可使肥, 又可使棘 | Land can be made fertile, but it can also become barren | Lü Shi Chun Qiu (吕氏春秋)(Lü, 2011) |
Western Han | 凡耕之本, 在于趣时和土, 务粪泽, 早锄早获 | The essence of farming lies in timing and understanding the soil. Focus on fertilization and irrigation, weed early, and harvest promptly. | Book of Fan Shengzhi (氾胜之书)(Shi, 1956) |
The Northern Wei | 顺天时, 量地利, 则用力少而成功多。任情返道劳而无获 | By following nature’s timing and making rational use of the land’s resources, one can achieve more with less effort. Acting against these principles will lead to wasted labor and no results. | Qi Min Yao Shu (齐民要术)(Jia, 2015) |
The Southern Song | 若能时加新沃之土壤, 以粪治之, 则益精熟肥美, 其力常新壮矣, 抑何敝何衰之有? | If fresh, fertile soil is added regularly and treated with fertilizer, the land will become richer and sustain its vitality over time. How could it ever become barren or exhausted? | Chen Fu’s Nong Shu (陈旉农书)(Chen, 2015) |
Yuan | 为农者, 必储粪朽以粪之, 则地力常新壮而收获不减 | Farmers must store and use well-decomposed fertilizer. This ensures that the soil remains fertile and productive, maintaining high yields. | Wang Zhen’s Nong Shu (王祯农书)(Wang, 2009) |
Ming | 凡粪田, 若撒枯浇泽……在老农心计 | When fertilizing the fields, whether spreading dry manure or watering with liquid fertilizer, the methods and expertise lie in the wisdom of experienced farmers. | Tian Gong Kai Wu (天工开物)(Song, 2021) |
Qing | 凡种田总不出粪多力勤 | The success of farming comes down to applying more fertilizer and working diligently. | Bu Nong Shu (补农书)(Wang, 2024) |
Qing | 盖禾, 生之者地, 养之者天, 而成之者人。日进其功, 所获无穷 | Growing crops depends on the land for growth, the heavens for nourishment, and humans for completion. With continuous daily effort, the rewards are boundless. | Zhi Ben Ti Gang (知本提纲)(Wang, 1957) |
