After hearing what Zhufeng said, the tenant farmers at the scene became confused.
Some people asked confusedly: "What is rock-pressing to protect moisture?"
Zhufeng then explained: "From the literal meaning, it is to preserve the moisture in the land by pressing stones. It can also be called a sand field."
Rock crushing? Someone asked uncertainly: "Throwing stones into the ground?" What kind of method is this?
Zhufeng smiled and waved his hand, and continued to explain: "The so-called stone pressing is the method of building sand fields. Sand fields are divided into dry sand fields and water sand fields. The construction method is:
First, plow the land deeply, apply enough base fertilizer, harrow it, and make it firm, and then spread a mixture of coarse sand and pebbles or flakes on the soil surface.
The thickness of sand and gravel is about three to four inches in dry sand fields and about two to three inches in water sand fields. Each time it is laid, it can be effectively used for about thirty years."
After hearing this, the tenant farmers became more and more shocked and puzzled.
Some people immediately questioned: "How can we cultivate the land if we pave it with stones? What's more, the crop seedlings are fragile. If we pave them with stones, how can they grow from the ground?"
Isn't this nonsense? Many people thought so in their hearts, but after all, the person standing in front of them was their new club, so they didn't dare to say it out loud. But the doubts on their faces were not concealed.
Zhufeng advised earnestly: "I understand that you will have doubts if you haven't seen it before. But this is a method that my great-grandfather learned personally and has already been tried. It can effectively change the damage caused to crops by drought."
"Since it has been tried, why have we never heard of it? If this method really works, why haven't we seen it used?" someone continued to ask.
Zhufeng couldn't help but murmur in his heart, the lower world where Xuanmen is located has been using this method for a long time. Especially in arid areas, most of them are planted in sand fields. You are just relatively backward.
"Although my great-grandfather figured out this method back then, our descendants no longer make a living from farming, so it has not been passed down. If we had not encountered a drought this year, I would not have thought of this method.
After that, I will definitely go to the Yamen and explain this method to the adults in Tiancao. If they can spread the word about this method, that would be great.
But you are all my tenant farmers, and I am sure that everything will be focused on you first, not to mention that it is now the time to cut the land, and the timing is just right. If you delay it any longer, the next crop will still be useless. This is not good for you, but also for you.
It’s a huge loss for me.”
After a few words, the tenant farmers had nothing to say for the time being, but doubts and doubts still existed in their hearts.
The eldest son of the Tian family thought for a while, and he must have trusted Boss Zhu, so he spoke up and said, "Boss Zhu has planted fifty acres of medicinal fields in Pingpo Village, and the medicinal seedlings are growing very well. If you don't believe it, you can take the time to
Go to Pingpo Village to see it.”
Zhufeng smiled approvingly at the eldest son of the Tian family, it was just the right time.
He said confidently: "There is still time in the afternoon, so I will give you this method of compressing rocks to protect soil moisture. If you have any doubts, you can go to Pingpo Village to take a look.
Although this method was not used there, it can at least prove that my knowledge of the land is as good as any of you.
What's more, if you don't do anything, you will only face a more serious shortage. In that case, why are you still holding on to dry land? Now that there is a way to ensure revenue, why should you hesitate?"
The tenant farmers gradually became speechless. Some people knew the approximate location of Pingpo Village, and even made up their mind to go and take a look.
Some people think that although this method of crushing rocks to protect moisture is unheard of, since the owner wants to ask the Yamen to implement it, it can at least prove that it is not making up nonsense, otherwise it will be deceiving the government, which is a serious crime.
Finally, someone was still confused and said: "But the ground is full of rocks, how can crops grow?"
After saying this, the tenant farmers began to nod in agreement again, which was also the doubt in their hearts.
Zhufeng continued to explain: “When sowing seeds, spread the sand and gravel so that they can be sown on demand or in a row or in drills, and then the sand and gravel are spread out. The crops will naturally emerge and grow from the gaps in the gravel.
In addition, the reason why sand fields can maintain moisture is that the sand fields are covered with sand and gravel, which can directly prevent the scorching sun and avoid water loss. The stored water can therefore reduce evaporation.
Moreover, covering it with sand and gravel can also act as alkali pressure and heat preservation. This will also be more conducive to the growth of crop seedlings."
When the tenant farmers heard this, they suddenly understood a lot. A group of people began to chatter. It must be said that although the method is novel, such an explanation can still make some sense.
Zheng Mu was also shocked by the new owner in front of him. Before he became the owner of the official land, he also worked as the owner of other landowners. The landlords never cared about the affairs of the land. They only needed to collect rent on time.
Let alone teach farmers how to farm, which is even more impossible.
Perhaps, this new owner is really different from other landlords. Zheng Mu thought in his heart.
After Zhufeng waited for everyone to discuss for a while, he walked down the stone sill and walked around to the rear of the tenant farmers. The tenant farmers followed him and turned back. Behind him, there was a large stretch of mountains and land.
Zhufeng pointed to a mountain and said, "There is sand and gravel on that mountain. You can go dig there. There is also the one with the two peaks at the other end."
"Those are Magpie Mountain and Shuangtuo Mountain." someone answered.
Zhufeng nodded and went back to the open room. He took two sets of baskets, poles and hoes, and each of the eldest sons of the Hetian family took them with him. He then said to the tenant farmers: "Now, if you want to have more crops in the next crop,
Collect some and come with me. I will teach you how to mix the sand and gravel. Too much or too little will also affect the emergence of seedlings."
The tenant farmers were either hesitant, confused, or curious, and they all had various moods, but they all gradually followed Zhufeng.
Zheng Mu also quickly ran a few steps to catch up.
A large group of people came to Magpie Mountain, followed the road they had walked on in the past few days, found a place with sand and gravel soil, and then started digging sand and gravel to demonstrate to the tenant farmers.
...
The sun gradually turns to the west, and the tenant farmers gradually disperse in Dongye Village.
Zhufeng beat his sore waist and sat in the open room drinking cold water to quench his thirst.
The eldest son of the Tian family whispered the specific operation of pressing stones to protect moisture. When Zhufeng heard a few mistakes, he corrected them for him, and finally said:
"I called you here today because I want you to learn. After you go back, you can talk to the villagers. It depends on them and you. Whether you want to try it or not is up to you."
The eldest son of the Tian family smiled gratefully and said, "I don't need my father to tell me how to chase the boss. I'm sure everyone will be willing to try it."
Zheng Mu sighed with emotion: "Boss Zhu is really awesome. You are the only landlord I have ever seen who knows how to go to the ground."
Zhufeng smiled: "Now I have become a small landowner?"
"A hundred acres of land becomes the owner. If you chase the boss, you will naturally become the landlord." Zheng Mu found it interesting that he knew how to plant land, but he didn't know the rules.
Zhufeng let out a small sigh, it was not easy to follow the secret path. All in all, it took him nearly a year to become a small landowner.