Agricultural Treatise, Volume 3

When the rains fall, observe whether the seedlings are sparse or dense. Transplant them to fill in the gaps. This is more efficient than planting in garden beds, as it ensures survival and produces results two years earlier than usual. It is even better to plant the mulberry fruits directly if they are available in spring. Later, build a surrounding wall for protection.

Alternatively, if you are concerned about the rope being too cumbersome, mix the millet and mulberry fruits together and plant them using a gourd with holes, sweeping them even with a broom after scattering. Or, if you worry about drought, make depressions in the millet ridges, level them, pour in water, and plant the seeds.

Another method: In the spring, first plant garlic in even rows from east to west in prepared soil. Then, mix the mulberry fruits with silkworm excrement cansha, or roasted millet grains. After the rain, sow them to the north of the garlic. This is more effective than setting up low shades.