It's really hard to just farm peacefully.

Chapter 344

The two farmers who went to the field to observe the growth of cotton up close have returned.

After they took turns reporting, they obtained the host's consent to find Jiang Yan, who was silently accompanying them, to ask for details, such as the amount of watering, watering frequency, fertilizer usage, etc.

The farmer from the Hao Mansion became increasingly puzzled as he listened. This year, his farm was assigned to try growing a new variety of cotton.

Although the care he took wasn't as thorough as that he'd given to staple crops like wheat and millet, it was still more meticulous than Jiang Yan's. He watered the fields regularly and applied fertilizer generously, and the plants were indeed growing taller than those in the field before him.

Why didn't the cotton plants in their farm grow nearly as many side branches, resulting in fewer fruits per plant? Why did the cotton leaves in their farm have more insects and were more gnawed?

Although it was still unclear whether the arrival of the Fu and Hao families would affect her right to dispose of this small piece of cotton land, Jiang Yan never refused agricultural exchanges. After all, her theoretical knowledge was not worth keeping to herself.

The first question can be answered by "pinching the top", but the second question has many possibilities, such as not doing a good job of pest control in the field, not enough wood ash water is spread, or the insects are not caught in time.

"Alas," the farmer from the Hao Mansion sighed, "There's too much land to cultivate here, and the few people we have are totally insufficient. If we send them all to catch insects, we won't be able to take care of other farm work."

There's too much land to plant... Jiang Yan immediately put aside her worries when she heard these words. They were a large farmer, and if they really decided to do pest control, they could hire more temporary workers.

The chief steward of the Fu Mansion walked into the field at some point, and then picked a fruit under Jiang Yan's heartbroken gaze, gently broke it open, and then picked out a small handful of white fluff to feel.

When he wanted to pick the second one, Jiang Yan couldn't help but stop him: "They are not ripe yet, don't pick them yet..." What a waste.

"It seems that you know a lot about this thing." The chief steward of the Fu Mansion raised his eyebrows, but still did not extend his claws as he was told.

Why do all the people in the Fu Mansion love to raise their eyebrows at this angle... Jiang Yan has met several high-ranking officials in the Fu Mansion, and couldn't help but complain in his heart.

"No need to understand. Look, the fruit is not shriveled, hard or dry yet. Wheat and beans are ripe for harvest only when they turn yellow and dry. I guess this is not much different." Jiang Yan occasionally saw cotton on dry branches in the fields. At least it was not in the current state where not even a single flower had bloomed.

……

After looking at the cotton, the steward of the Fu Mansion and the master of the Hao Mansion discussed the cotton seeds on the spot.

Jiang Yan quietly took a small step towards them. This was important and she also wanted to know.

She still has a small handful of cotton seeds in her hand. She doesn't know how many will germinate when she plants them next year, and she also doesn't know how many seeds she can harvest from the ones in the field.

It would be nice if there were a way to buy some more.

"Hao San." Master Hao urgently called the manager Hao San.

Hao San said, "Master, all the cotton seeds have been sent to the farm south of the city. There's not a single one left in the manor. I wonder how much cotton seeds are left in the farm now."

The farmer from the Hao Mansion added quietly, "They've all been planted. Our village chief said at the time that he didn't leave any."

Hao San lowered his head and said, "Then we can only wait until this batch of cotton matures and save the seeds, or send a caravan to the western border to find cotton seeds."

"Manager Fu, what do you think?" Mr. Hao looked at Fu Jia inquiringly.

Fu Jia pondered for a moment and said, "Let's save the offspring. The fighting over there is still very fierce, and many passes are closed. It's difficult for ordinary caravans to enter and exit."

It's hopeless... Jiang Yan was a little depressed when she heard the news from the outside world, and then she quickly became nervous. He probably wouldn't be interested in her seed...