CHAPTER 345: CHAPTER 224: COMPARISON BETWEEN AUTUMN HARVEST AND SEED HARVEST

The legion leaders were eager to earn merits and momentarily forgot this principle. They quickly closed their mouths but quietly moved their chairs towards Quintus, intending to persuade them privately first.

The Cultivation Department subordinate standing by the side of the hall noticed and immediately went over to stop them from doing so.

Even though the legion leaders held ranks higher than him, they had to comply obediently because maintaining order at the tribal meeting was the responsibility of the Cultivation Department.

Maximus turned a blind eye to this and, looking around at everyone, loudly asked, "Does anyone else have anything to report?"

Volenus stood up and said, "Leader, this year we’ve been blessed by the Divine. According to the Aldeans, the rainy season was shorter than in previous years, the river waters didn’t surge as they did before, and the climate has been quite good. The wheat we planted in early spring has all sprouted and is starting to mature—it’s estimated we can begin harvesting by mid-August.

Moreover, according to our Agricultural Department’s observations over the past days, each ear of wheat in the fields has about 20 to 30 grains, and the grains are quite plump. Except for some fields far from the riverbank, near the mountains and forests where fertility is poor, based on our estimates, barring any unexpected events, each acre of land can produce about 75 to 85 jin of wheat. This is indeed a bountiful harvest!"

At this point, Volenus grew excited, looking at Maximus with fiery eyes. Influenced by some rumors in the tribe, he felt the tribe benefited from Maximus’s luck, and the Divine who favored this young leader was also blessing the tribe’s fields.

An output of around 80 jin per acre is considered a harvest?!... Maximus was somewhat disappointed, even suspecting if the other party had miscalculated.

In his previous life, he knew that in China, the wheat yield per acre was above 800 jin, with many areas exceeding 1000 jin. Even though agricultural technology was backward in this era, a few months ago, he had exerted a lot of effort, leading the Agricultural Department to help the tribal citizens improve farming techniques and boost field fertility... he always felt it should be at least two or three hundred jin to justify his efforts, not expecting it to fall short of even a hundred jin.

"Leader, achieving 80 jin per acre is already quite a good result!" Volenus had worked with Maximus for over two years and was his important assistant. He knew full well that although this leader was young and born from a Gladiator background, he was knowledgeable about agriculture and often came up with astounding ideas and suggestions regarding farming—he indeed had the blessing of the Divine. However, he lacked practical farming experience and wasn’t very familiar with the agricultural conditions of the Mediterranean.

Thus, Volenus patiently explained, "Our grain planting and harvest ratio has reached 1 to 8. In many places in Italy, wheat yield per acre is only 50 to 60 jin, with a planting and harvest ratio of just 1 to 5, and in the Samnium Mountain Area, it’s even a mere 1 to 2. Only the yield in Campania’s Vesuvius Region can reach 120 to 130 jin per acre, with a planting and harvest ratio of 1 to 11, 12, or even 14. It’s said that the wheat yield along the Egypt Nile River can also reach this figure, but in the Mediterranean, such cases are few. Overall, our tribe’s wheat yield per acre for this year is relatively high!

And considering this is our first time farming along the Kupa Riverbanks, some lands have lain fallow for several years and are no longer familiar fields; there are also some mudflats and small swamps just being cultivated. These new fields yield low per acre, thus dragging down the tribe’s average yield per acre.

However, this year we have planted wheat on all available fields; come September, the harvested wheat will be enough to fill every granary, not only solving our grain shortage issue but with plenty to spare..."

"That’s great news!" Maximus smiled. In the past few months, the grain issue had been a heavy burden on him and the high-ranking members of the Nix Tribe, causing them to abandon their cautious approach several times and exchange prisoners for grain with Segestica, leading to the release of 1500 prisoners.

"Leader, you need not worry too much. This time, the tribesmen were somewhat rushed in their farming efforts, insufficiently prepared, with the piled manure not transported effectively, inadequate deep plowing, and the fields not thoroughly cleaned. The wheat seedlings were not cared for sufficiently, and most importantly, the quality of the seeds planted was not the best... so the yield didn’t reach our anticipated target.

In fact, in our Agricultural Department’s experimental fields that followed your methods meticulously, the wheat growth was much better. According to our estimates, the yield per acre could reach at least 150 jin—"

Volenus’s words caused the hall to erupt in amazement.

"Please maintain silence during the meeting!" the Cultivation Department subordinate loudly reminded.

Maximus wore a polite smile, but in truth, he wasn’t impressed and felt a bit disheartened: it seemed that despite all efforts, the wheat yield wouldn’t go beyond 200 jin now. Without fertilizers or hybrid seeds to improve the wheat varieties, it was difficult to significantly increase the yield.

In terms of hybrids, Maximus only knew concepts and had no practical experience; concerning fertilizers, he had no idea how they were made. Moreover, given the current technological level, producing them was impossible...

Thinking of these, Maximus felt a sense of peace return to his mind.

"After this harvest, our Agricultural Department will vigorously promote these good farming techniques to the tribesmen so they can increase their field yields."

"Very well, that is exactly what your Agricultural Department should do," Maximus nodded.

"However, Leader, this time, with extensive wheat farming, the fertility of the land has been considerably depleted." Volenus turned the conversation solemnly, saying, "Next, I hope to implement crop rotation on the fields to maintain land fertility. In Campania, some large estates divide fields into two parts, with one used for farming and the other left fallow, rotating them annually. This not only reduces soil fertility depletion but also enhances land usage...

However, I believe the three-field rotation method you previously told us about is even better! Dividing the fields into three parts—a part for spring sowing, a part for autumn sowing, and a part left fallow, rotating the cultivation among the three parts.

Adding manure and grass fertilizer to the land left fallow to enhance soil fertility, while also growing legumes, as you mentioned, can increase another type of soil fertility and enrich the tribesmen’s food varieties.

Simultaneously, we should also have the tribesmen designate some idle lands to grow alfalfa—livestock like horses, cattle, and sheep love to eat it, helping them grow fat and strong. Increasing livestock means enhancing our food reserves and responding to your previous call for tribesmen to raise more cattle and horses to increase livestock power...

Thus, our Agricultural Department plans to promote three-field rotation across the tribe. We’ve already experimented in test fields, though still brief, we’ve accumulated some experience, and we hope you’ll approve!"

Volenus spoke eloquently, Maximus listened intently, and the other officials were also drawn in.

After hearing Volenus speak, Maximus’s confidence was reinvigorated. He earnestly said, "Farming requires physical labor, even more so technical skill. Only by continually cultivating good wheat seed, improving farming methods, and enhancing farming tools can the yield of our wheat and other crops be consistently elevated! The Agricultural Department is pivotal to realizing this goal in our tribe—Volenus, you should proceed without hesitation; the three-field rotation can be implemented in the next step!"

"Yes, Leader!" Volenus, encouraged, was even more enthusiastic: "We in the Agricultural Department also plan to persuade the tribesmen to allocate a piece of land specifically for growing flax, for the Weaving Workshop to purchase, thus giving them extra income..."

"Certainly."

"Now, as the wheat is about to mature, the next month is when we need to be most vigilant because there are many birds in the mountains, flocking to peck at the grains. We must come up with all sorts of methods to drive them away.

Additionally, creatures like field mice will attempt to raid the fields. To prevent our efforts over the past six months from going to waste, we hope to get help from other departments."

"That won’t be a problem," Maximus promptly promised.

He scanned the other people in the hall, speaking firmly, "Right now, grain is the most pressing issue for our tribe. To ensure a good harvest, you all must give your full cooperation to the Agricultural Department!"

"Yes!!" the officials responded in unison.

Maximus added, "If the wheat harvest is bountiful and the grain problem is resolved, the Agricultural Department’s significant efforts should be acknowledged with a reward, and the tribe will grant it."

The Agricultural Department’s subordinates became immediately excited because the tribe’s reward usually meant a promotion in tribal citizen level.

Under the envious gazes of officials from other departments, Volenus sat down with satisfaction.

Capito promptly stood up: "Leader, the Curved Plow you instructed our Public Works Department to prototype—the artisans have succeeded after several attempts, and it has been field-tested by the Agricultural Department for some time. They all say this new plow is much better than the original straight plow!"

"Indeed, Leader, our Agricultural Department has used this new plow, and it’s much easier to use than the old one." Volenus interjected: "Firstly, the plow’s weight is significantly reduced, making it easier for tribesmen to till the fields and less laborious for the draught horses or oxen;

secondly, it’s more convenient to operate, easily maneuverable during turns. For strong tribesmen, it can even be handled single-handedly;

additionally, its iron plowshare is a triangular cone shape that not only penetrates deeply into the soil but also automatically pushes turned soil to the sides, reducing the plow’s forward resistance... I hope the Public Works Department can produce more of these plows so that every tribal household can use one."

Maximus looked at Capito, "Is the Curved Plow easy to manufacture?"