从《诗经》看周代的农业技术

A Research on Agricultural Techniques in Zhou Dynasty from the Book of Odes

《诗经》里的不少诗篇都反映出了周人对农业生产的重视。在耕作技术上注重土地的垦植和开发,以休耕制和耦耕的盛行为特点,而且生产工具也有所改进;在播种技术上已经懂得定疆理界,翻地松土,培治成垄,做好选种工作及其掌握播种时间;在培育技术上能够采取除草培土、施肥、浇灌等措施,以保证禾苗茁壮生长;在防护技术上注意除草、灭虫,高筑墙垣以防禽兽啄食践踏。这些环节的适当把握对于农业收成多寡有着重要的意义和作用,它同时真切地反映出农业技术的得力可靠,也昭示出了周代农业文明的进步程度。

People in Zhou dynasty attached great importance to agricultural production, which is reflected in many poems in the Book of Odes. In terms of farming techniques, they paid special attention to land cultivation and exploitation. And lying fellow and paired tillage are its typical characteristics and the instruments of production are also improved. In terms of planting techniques, they knew how to define borders, cultivate soil into ridges and choose seeds as well as seeding time. In terms of breeding technology, they adopted the measures of weeding and earthing, fertilizing and irrigating to ensure the crops to grow lustily. In terms of protective techniques, they paid attention to weeding, controlling plant pests and building walls and fortifications to prevent birds and animals from destroying the crops. These techniques are of great significance to ensure a high yield of agricultural production, which reflects the necessity of techniques in agricultural production and the level of agricultural civilization in Zhou dynasty.