Chapter 10 The third section looks at traditional Chinese agronomy and farming techniques from "Lushi Chunqiu"

"Lushi Chunqiu" was written in 239 BC and was compiled by Lu Buwei of Qin State at that time.The four chapters in the book, "Shangnong", "Rendi", "Distinguishing the Soil", and "Reviewing the Time", are the earliest surviving monographs on agronomy, embodying the characteristics of traditional Chinese agronomy and farming techniques. The "Shangnong" chapter discusses agricultural theory and policy. "Shangnong" means advocating agriculture, which is a reflection of the thought of emphasizing agriculture.It expounds the significance of emphasizing agriculture on national governance from both political and economic aspects.From a political point of view, when farmers have a small piece of land and establish a small private economy, they can be fixed on the land. Recruit manpower and material resources.If the home (agriculture) is in the end (industry and commerce), it is easy to migrate. Once a war or other incident occurs in the country, you will have the desire to go far without the ambition to settle down, and your thoughts are active, which is not conducive to management.From an economic point of view, agriculture plays a role in ensuring the food and clothing needs of the rulers, which is related to the stability and prosperity of the country.Under the guidance of the idea of ​​emphasizing agriculture, the "Shangnong" chapter proposed a policy of rewarding agriculture and mulberry.The idea of ​​emphasizing agriculture and the policy of rewarding farming and mulberry were adopted by successive rulers and became a basic national policy, while industry and commerce were always restrained and could not develop freely.

The chapter "Reviewing the Time" puts forward that agricultural production is "man for it, land for life, and heaven for nourishment", which reflects the idea that traditional Chinese agronomy emphasizes the organic connection and mutual coordination of the three elements of weather, location, and manpower.That is to say, while conforming to nature, people should give full play to their active role, adjust measures to local conditions, use and transform the natural environment, and improve the level of agricultural production.Under the guidance of this idea, the technical tradition of intensive farming in Chinese agricultural production was formed.The key point is to find ways to create the best growth environment for crops from seed selection, plowing, sowing, intertillage and weeding, irrigation and fertilization, pest control and final harvest, so as to achieve the goal of a good harvest.In this regard, the three chapters "Rendi", "Different Land", and "Shen Shi" all discuss it, and put forward a series of specific methods and measures.

It can be seen that traditional Chinese agronomy and agricultural production technology had been basically formed during the Warring States Period.The agronomy and agricultural production technology of future generations have inherited this tradition, and have been continuously developed, enriched, perfected and improved.