Song Yingxing immediately agreed, but he also added: "My lord, what I just concluded is that sweet potatoes are afraid of the cold. I compared the sweet potato planting reports in southern provinces."
"Oh, that means the sweet potato planting situation is better in the south?" Zhong Jinwei asked with a little surprise when he heard this.
Song Yingxing nodded slightly, his attitude as serious as ever, and continued to report to Zhong Jinwei: "Yes. Last year, due to the hurricane in the south, sweet potatoes were replanted. Compared to the north, the survival rate was higher."
When he said this, he paused for a while, but then he said with a twist: "However, the yield of sweet potatoes in the south is still low."
Zhong Jinwei was a little disappointed when he heard this, but it is understandable that the high yield of sweet potatoes in later generations, as well as those sweet potatoes that can adapt to the northern climate, must be the result of long-term improvements.
Sweet potato has just been introduced to Ming Dynasty. If you want to have varieties that can be promoted nationwide, there must be a process.
Thinking of this, he asked Song Yingxing: "What about corn and potatoes?"
"The situation of corn and sweet potato is similar. However, the harvest of corn is almost impossible at the seaside. This is suspected to be related to the high concentration of salt-alkali in the water. Moreover, it needs more water than sweet potato, so at least for now, in places with severe drought, it is still difficult to harvest.
Can’t grow corn.”
After Song Yingxing finished speaking, seeing Duke Xing's expression of disappointment, he quickly added: "My lord, these corns and sweet potatoes can be used for disaster relief. Because these two things can be planted in suitable places without occupying the original farmland.
, the amount of yield that can be harvested is the amount of increased yield. Moreover, the fruits are not easy to deteriorate and are easy to store and transport."
"Well, I know that. Now tell me about potatoes." Zhong Jinwei nodded and asked about the last crop.
Speaking of this potato, Song Yingxing showed a smile on his face. He replied to Zhong Jinwei: "My lord, this potato is exactly the opposite of sweet potato and corn. After experiments, the yield of planting in the north is higher than that in the south. We can draw a preliminary conclusion.
, this kind of crop likes cold. But it is best to plant it in farmland where the land is richer, and the yield will be higher."
"In addition, after testing, in addition to the sprouted potatoes that the Duke said cannot be eaten, there are also potatoes with purple skin that cannot be eaten. Also, it is best not to eat them raw, because they will cause discomfort and even poisoning. But in
After being cooked, it is delicious."
Zhong Jinwei also smiled when he heard this, and he immediately asked: "How is the output?"
Speaking of the yield, Song Yingxing stopped smiling again, shook his head slightly and said: "It's not very high. But in any case, the yield is still a little higher than that of ordinary crops."
After hearing this, Zhong Jinwei stood up and walked back and forth in Song Yingxing's office.
Song Yingxing and others knew that the Duke was thinking about the problem, so they kept quiet and did not dare to disturb him.
After a while, Zhong Jinwei stood still, looked at Song Yingxing, and explained to him: "First, the improvement of the varieties of these three crops must be carried out continuously and efforts should be made to increase the yield. I can tell you clearly that these three crops
The yield of such crops will be very high.”
"Yes, Duke." Song Yingxing agreed.
After getting Song Yingxing's response, Zhong Jinwei continued: "Second, select suitable seeds, especially potatoes, and send researchers to Gansu, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Zhili and Liaodong without affecting existing agricultural production.
, guide local farmers and carry out large-scale promotion."
Song Yingxing saw that Duke Xingguo looked anxious, so he couldn't help but remind him: "Gonggong, we have just started to promote it. It will take time to have a large-scale planting. And even if there are researchers to give guidance, the initial output may still be
The yield is much lower than the yield obtained in the experiment."
Zhong Jinwei was not unrealistic. He nodded and said, "I know this. I don't expect a good harvest in the first few years of planting. But I must plant and keep planting. Do you understand?"
"Understood." Song Yingxing nodded.
After saying this, Zhong Jinwei asked with a glimmer of hope: "Have you discovered any special crops recently?"
From before, strange crops from all over the country were sent to the capital. Therefore, potatoes and other items were discovered by Zhong Jinwei. At this time, Zhong Jinwei had the idea of picking up another treasure.
Unexpectedly, Song Yingxing disappointed him: "I haven't received any special crops yet."
After saying this, Song Yingxing immediately smiled and said: "My lord, that pepper has a good harvest."
When Zhong Jinwei heard this, his disappointed mood improved again, and he immediately ordered: "That's it, I'll take some back to study. By the way, I'll also promote their planting in the northern provinces. This pepper is a good thing to keep away the cold."
"
Song Yingxing smiled knowingly. He knew that the Duke liked chili peppers.
After inspecting the crops, Zhong Jinwei, accompanied by Song Yingxing, went directly to the Power Research Institute to inspect the research status of steam engines.
On the way, Zhong Jinwei told Song Yingxing as he walked: "What good agricultural measures are available in various places, such as tools to drain waterlogging and relieve drought, better sowing methods, farming techniques, etc., we must also remember to summarize and promote them. The Agricultural Research Institute is here
In the coming time, we will all strive to increase agricultural output as our goal. Do you understand?"
"Understood, Duke." Song Yingxing listened to Zhong Jinwei explain his affairs, and turned sideways to face Zhong Jinwei.
As soon as he mentioned this, Zhong Jinwei remembered it again. Water conservancy facilities in various places must also be investigated. What should be repaired must be repaired, and what should be dredged must be dredged in time. Later, he must give a memorial to Emperor Chongzhen and send someone to take charge of this matter.
OK.
But in this case, a lot of money may be needed. Emperor Chongzhen will definitely have a headache, but it is money that has to be spent. It is really easy to be an emperor, but it is difficult to be a good emperor!
Zhong Jinwei was thinking as he walked, and couldn't help but feel a little sympathy for Emperor Chongzhen.
The Power Research Institute was relatively close, so it didn't take long for the group of them to reach their destination.
Zhong Jinwei had already been here once, and he wanted to go directly to the steam engine research workshop to inspect it just like he went to the research institute. However, what he didn't expect was that he was stopped by the guard this time.
"My lord, you can't go! Let me go and report first." After the guard greeted Zhong Jinwei, he stopped in front and said.
"How dare you dare to stop the Duke? How can a leopard be so bold?" When Wang Peng saw it, he stepped forward and shouted loudly.
"The villain doesn't dare, the villain doesn't dare," the guard said repeatedly after being frightened by the Dongchang officer.
But after he finished speaking, he said with a grimace: "Please stay a while, sir, I will be back soon."
When Song Yingxing saw it, he couldn't help it. A little guard from his research institute actually wanted to imitate Xiliu Camp and stop Duke Xing Guo?