Chapter 635 Changes in the functions of the Agricultural Research Institute
When Song Yingxing heard this, he walked to a place slightly inside, squatted down and pulled open a wooden board on the ground, and then said to Zhong Jinwei: "Master Hou, all the sweet potatoes harvested this year are here. The Agricultural Research Institute, according to Master Hou and
With Xu Shangshu’s guidance, we have initially grasped the characteristics of this crop. We will try planting it again next year and we should have more yields.”
Zhong Jinwei had already walked over to take a look while Song Yingxing was talking. He had very high expectations for sweet potatoes. When he saw the amount of sweet potatoes in the cellar, he was a little disappointed. The yield of sweet potatoes was not as high as he thought.
However, Zhong Jinwei did not show it, and just said to Song Yingxing: "Yes, these sweet potatoes are related to our Ming Dynasty disaster relief. We must study more and strive for the maximum yield!"
"Yes, Lord Marquis, I will definitely do my best!" Song Yingxing stood up and nodded seriously in agreement.
A subordinate behind Song Yingxing saw that the two bosses no longer paid attention to the sweet potatoes in the cellar, so he took the initiative to cover it with wooden boards again.
Zhong Jinwei stood there and looked around, hoping to see something special, but he didn't find anything.
When Song Yingxing saw it, he guessed what Zhong Jinwei meant. He walked to a cabinet on the other side, opened the door and said, "Master Hou, there is a new crop here, which was sent to the Agricultural Research Institute from the local government."
Zhong Jinwei was a little curious, so he walked over to take a look and said in surprise: "Corn?"
Song Yingxing smiled and said: "Master Hou is very knowledgeable, it is exactly corn! However, because it was delivered late, the research institute has not started trial planting yet. But according to local reports, this kind of corn requires warm and rainy weather. The advantage is that it has a short growth cycle.
In addition to this corn, its stalks can also be eaten to quench thirst.”
Now is the Little Ice Age, the temperature is lower than in other periods, and there is much drought in the north.
Zhong Jinwei couldn't help but frown. According to what Song Yingxing said, this crop cannot be promoted in the drought-stricken areas in the north.
He remembered that when living conditions were difficult in later generations, they relied entirely on sweet potatoes and corn to survive. A deep impression on Zhong Jinwei when he was a child was that he ate polenta every day.
"Let the research institute do more research. If this problem cannot be solved, promote planting in warm and rainy places." Zhong Jinwei had no choice but to suggest this.
"Yes, Lord Marquis." Song Yingxing nodded in agreement.
Sweet potatoes and corn are far more important than the condiment chili peppers, but the yields of these two main crops failed to meet expectations, which made Zhong Jinwei a little disappointed.
He looked at Song Yingxing and asked with a glimmer of hope: "Are there any special crops sent from the local area?"
"Yes, there is a crop similar to sweet potatoes, but it is toxic, which is a pity!" Song Yingxing said while walking towards the wooden cabinet on the other side.
When Zhong Jinwei heard this, he was a little curious. What is a crop similar to sweet potatoes?
When Song Yingxing opened the cabinet door, Zhong Jinwei had already walked quickly to his side and looked over carefully.
"Potato!" Zhong Jinwei exclaimed when he saw it.
When Song Yingxing heard this, he couldn't help but said: "Master Hou, I know him!"
"Of course, this is good stuff! How could it be poisonous?" Zhong Jinwei said matter-of-factly.
It would be incredible if future generations didn’t know about potatoes. Zhong Jinwei was also a little speechless at himself, why did he forget about potatoes?
Song Yingxing didn't know much about it and couldn't answer Zhong Jinwei's question. He had to say to Zhong Jinwei: "I don't know very well. The local people said so. Why don't I wait until I have someone study it and find out what's going on?"
what's going on?"
As soon as he finished his statement, Zhong Jinwei slapped his head and suddenly said, "I know, I must have eaten potatoes with sprouts!"
As long as you don't pay attention to the potatoes, after being stored for a long time, the skin will turn green and sprouts will grow. At this time, the potatoes will become toxic. Although the toxicity is not very serious, people will naturally not feel better if they eat it.
When Song Yingxing heard Zhong Jinwei's explanation, he immediately said with great joy: "What do you mean by Master Hou, as long as the potatoes don't grow sprouts, it will be fine?"
Zhong Jinwei did not nod, but his face suddenly became very serious. He turned to Li Laosi and said: "I'm a little unsure. You can pick some potatoes without sprouts and go back. Mr. Hou, I want to bake potatoes tonight and fry some vinegar potatoes."
Si, um, let’s try the poison on yourself!”
Song Yingxing was frightened by Zhong Jinwei's expression at first, thinking that he had not guessed the meaning of Marquis Zhongxing. Then he heard Zhong Jinwei's words and couldn't help laughing. The Marquis really knows how to joke!
"Master Hou, since potatoes are not a poisonous crop as previously thought, can they be promoted locally next year?" Song Yingxing sincerely sought Zhong Jinwei's opinion.
"Of course, do you still want to hide it and eat it yourself? But having said that, potatoes are indeed a nutritious and good thing."
There were new words in Zhong Jinwei's words. Song Yingxing didn't understand them very well, but this did not prevent him from understanding that Zhong Xinghou meant a positive reply to him.
"By the way, except for leaving enough seeds, you have packed everything else. I will recommend it to the emperor and introduce several ways to eat it. With the emperor taking the lead, the promotion of these crops will be greatly enhanced. And there are benefits.
Quite a few!”
As Zhong Jinwei was talking, he suddenly felt that this was a good idea. Seeing Song Yingxing looking at him with wide eyes, he explained: "Nothing in the world can have a more powerful advertising effect than the emperor endorsing these crops! Maybe!
The princes, nobles, local tycoons and rich businessmen will rush to plant it. As long as there are more people planting it and the planting area is wider, better planting methods will be found."
Song Yingxing nodded repeatedly after hearing this. Mr. Hou really knew everything he said. He would have a better idea about anything when he got it into his hands!
Naturally, Zhong Jinwei didn't know that Song Yingxing was secretly praising him, and continued to conclude: "For agriculture, it is better for the Capital Agricultural Research Institute to compile information from various places, and then let each place conduct experiments. After all, various crops have different requirements for climate, soil, etc.
no the same."
"Yes, yes, yes, from now on we will do as the Marquis says." Song Yingxing agreed repeatedly.
This truth is not difficult to understand. Even if Zhong Jinwei doesn't say it, someone will naturally think of it after a long time. The key is to promote it in time.
Now that Emperor Chongzhen is the spokesperson, the promotion process has been greatly accelerated.
Historically, these crops were introduced to the Ming Dynasty at the end of the Ming Dynasty, but most of them were in a state of spontaneous cultivation.
Therefore, it was not until the Manchu and Qing Dynasties that it spread throughout the country. In addition, at that time, because of wars and the massacres of the Manchus, the population decreased significantly, which actually fulfilled the reputation of "the prosperous age of Kangxi and Qianlong". It is really a pity. If the late Ming Dynasty
If these crops are popularized, maybe it won’t be the end of the Ming Dynasty anymore!
Because of the discovery of potatoes and the idea of promoting the plan, Zhong Jinwei felt much better and was satisfied with the results brought by the establishment of the Agricultural Research Institute.
As he walked out under the guidance of Song Yingxing, he casually asked Song Yingxing: "Are there any big results from other research institutes?"
As Song Yingxing walked away, he replied: "Yes, the steam engine that Mr. Marquis mentioned has been built."
When Zhong Jinwei heard this, he was startled. He immediately grabbed Song Yingxing's shoulders and asked in surprise: "Really?"
He never expected that the steam engine would be built so quickly!