Era: I was a farmer at the foot of Yaoling Mountain

Chapter 131 Rice Transplanter, Standing at the Forefront
After breakfast, the team's three tractors set out together, rumbling into the fields. Spring plowing had begun, and the members had another busy day.

Fortunately, the team has a tractor, otherwise we would have been exhausted this year.

Don't forget that those sent to build the reservoir are all strong laborers. There are less than 150 people in the entire second team. Excluding the elderly, women and children, it would be good to have sixty or seventy strong laborers.

This means the loss of 20 strong laborers, which of course has a huge impact.

But the team had three tractors, 220 acres of paddy fields and 40 acres of sloping land, and all the land was plowed in one day.

Next, fertilizing does not necessarily require strong labor, half labor is enough.

"During this spring planting, 120 mu of land was used to plant the third-generation rice varieties of [Nan Guang No. 99], mu of experimental fields were used to cultivate the second-generation hybrid rice varieties of [Nan Guang No. ], and the remaining one mu of land was used to continue cultivating various sterile plants.

The other 40 mu of sloping land is planted in the order of peanuts, soybeans, flue-cured tobacco, and soybeans.”

The team has mountains of various types of planting, enough to last for several years.

So Fang Wei decided to increase efforts to cultivate hybrid rice seeds, evolving from the first generation of rice seeds to the second generation of rice seeds.

Conventional breeding will be carried out in Datian to produce the third-generation rice variety [Nanguang No. 1].

Everyone had no objection to his decision, so the matter was settled.

Next, the procedure was the same as in previous years: sowing, germination, raising seedlings, transplanting, etc. Everyone was busy and working hard for this year's bumper summer harvest.

Fang Ping and his men have already taken care of the dry fields, so there's basically no need to worry about it.

Shortly after the spring sowing work began, Liu Wenxiu brought good news that the agricultural machinery company had imported several rice transplanters and harvesters from other places.

Fang Wei went to look at it and felt that the harvester was not very practical and too expensive. On the contrary, this rice transplanter used with a hand tractor was not only cheap but also very convenient to use.

Because it must be used in conjunction with a hand tractor, production teams without tractors can only sigh in despair.

The price is not expensive, priced at 1200 yuan, and it provides technical guidance and maintenance services during use.

"Then buy two and try them out first."

Fang Weiyi gritted his teeth and spent 2400 yuan to buy two rice transplanters.

Liu Wenxiu arranged for technical personnel to deliver the goods to the door and also provided training to the core members of the team.

This thing is not complicated to use. After explanation and demonstration, some core members quickly grasped the essence of it.

"Captain Fang, if you have any questions during the following use, please ask someone to pass on a message to me, and I will come and handle it when the time comes."

The technicians are very dedicated and have an impeccable attitude.

Fang Wei thanked the other party and wrote a letter of praise to the agricultural machinery company.

The construction work of Yaojialing Reservoir did not stop during the spring sowing period.

After Zheng Bao spent a month at the construction site, he led his team back to the village. This time, it was Hao Aizhen who volunteered to take the rotation team to the construction site.

Hao Aizhen certainly wasn't as capable as the Iron Girl, but she was also proficient in all kinds of farm work. Even before she became the director of the Women's Department, she was able to get a 9 in the work evaluation, which was quite impressive.

It will take some time to concentrate on raising seedlings. During the idle period, Fang Wei and Fang Ping began to plant soybeans on an acre of sloping land.

In reality, soybeans are still the most suitable economic crop.

The Fang family now consumes a lot of soybeans every month. The two children need to drink soy milk, and Pan Lianhua and Fang Wei also need to drink soy milk.

In addition, everyone in my family likes to eat soy products, including tofu, tofu skin, etc., which can replace part of the meat to some extent.

Fang Ping's private plot was used to grow vegetables, while Fang Wei's private plot was planted with the second-grade [Nan Guang No. 1] rice seeds.

Theoretically, seeds like this are not suitable for planting at all.

But in order to verify his own judgment, Fang Wei wanted to know as soon as possible whether [Breeding Genetic Stability +1] was as he thought.

If your judgment is correct, then the second-grade hybrid rice varieties should also be able to be planted.

Time slipped away in the busyness. During this period, Pan Lianhua often went to the Yaojialing Reservoir construction site to perform for the purpose.

Zheng Xianfa thought that the propaganda team form was very good, so he integrated the propaganda teams of all the production teams under the brigade.

After removing the dross and keeping the essence, the lotus flower still remains.

The commune followed suit. Xu Guangsheng adopted Zheng Xianfa's method and eventually established the [Yaoling Commune Art and Literature Propaganda Team], abolishing all the propaganda teams in the brigades.

The members of the propaganda team are part-time, and the time spent on rehearsals and performances is counted as 10 work points. They are usually evaluated according to the team's standards.

The propaganda team’s mission is not only to perform at construction sites, but also to go to various production teams to perform for the members, publicize policies and guidelines, and spread some agricultural knowledge.

Of course, these things were written in advance, and the propaganda team members had to memorize them and relay them verbatim without any personal understanding.

Since Pan Lianhua was often away during the day, Fang Wei started to eat at his eldest brother's house again during this period.

"Little brother, you're just doting on Sister Lotus too much. What's the point of singing and dancing all day? You still have to come back to eat your own rice, and the commune doesn't give you a penny.

You've been married for over half a year, and there's no sign of pregnancy in Lotus's belly, so you're not worried. I really don't know what you're thinking."

Tian Guihua didn't have any objection to Pan Lianhua, but was worried about Fang Wei.

Even some recent events gave her an illusion that she had not judged Lotus clearly at the beginning, and that this girl did not seem to be someone who could live a normal life.

"Sister-in-law, don't worry about it. I supported her in joining the propaganda team. After all, you can do what you like while you're young. Once you have children, you won't have time to do it anymore."

Fang Wei smiled, shook his head, and said something fair.

Seeing how protective the other party was of his wife, Tian Guihua sighed and said no more.

After all, it's just the two of them living their life together. As long as they both feel it's appropriate, what else can outsiders say?

night.

For the first time ever, Fang Wei cooked two dishes at home and waited for Pan Lianhua to come back, chatting with her while eating.

"Third brother, if you don't want me to go to the propaganda team, I won't go."

"Why don't you go? It's your decision. The propaganda team doesn't have any hard requirements, so you can do whatever you want."

"Well, I just thought it was fun. I neglected you during this period. It's my fault. Third brother, you are so good to me. I can't just take care of myself in the future."

It would be better if the couple talked it out. Pan Lianhua had no other thoughts and didn't want to make a living in the literary and artistic field.

At first I thought the propaganda team was lively and fun, but after a while it became just like that.

After the novelty wore off, she felt that she should focus more on her family.

"I'm fine on my end, as long as you're happy."

Fang Wei didn't think that the other party was not doing his job properly. The current cultural and entertainment life was very poor, and the propaganda team had actually made great contributions in this regard.

Pan Lianhua nodded and took him to bed early.

After that, she would go to the propaganda team when she had time, but not very often, and she stayed at home most of the time.

As the weather warmed up, the old hen at home hatched about ten chicks. Pan Lianhua gave away the extra chicks and raised eight chickens and two ducks at home, giving her a little more to do every day.

"Sister, Qinghe County invited me to study and exchange. If you have nothing to do, come with me."

Two days ago, Fang Wei received another invitation letter from the Qinghe County Agricultural Bureau, saying it was for study and exchange, but in fact they wanted him to guide the breeding of hybrid rice.

He planned to take Pan Lianhua with him, just to broaden his horizons.

As for Qinghe County, they would definitely not have any objections. Every time he came, he would bring a few deputies with him, and he had never seen them have any opinions.

"Okay, okay. Third brother, I'll be quiet when I get there and won't cause you any trouble."

Pan Lianhua was so happy that she couldn't help but spin around a few times.

Fang Wei couldn't help but smile. Even though the other party was married, his personality hadn't changed much.

the next day.

Fang Wei took Pan Lianhua and went to the county town to take a bus to Qinghe.

Chang Wenyuan warmly received the two people. Knowing that they were a couple, he specially booked a double room for them in the guesthouse.

The next day.

Fang Wei took Pan Lianhua to the Qinghe County breeding demonstration base.

"Captain Fang, our main task this year is to conduct pairing experiments and select suitable varieties. Based on our observations, this task is very difficult. Could you provide us with some guidance?"

The person in charge of the breeding base was very enthusiastic when he saw Fang Wei.

At the same time, he was very humble and looked like he was humbly asking for advice.

In fact, hybrid rice research is like looking for a needle in a haystack if you want to find a high-quality hybrid rice seed.

For example, a hybrid rice variety may have a high yield, but is susceptible to pests and diseases. Even though the plant is prone to lodging, the rice still tastes terrible.

In short, combining the best traits of different varieties and ensuring stable inheritance requires extensive experimentation. Rice crops only grow twice a year, so years can pass without achieving anything.

"It's not about giving advice, but we can learn from each other."

Fang Wei has a significant advantage. Although he has not experienced long and painful experiments, he can infer based on the results.

The process of reverse deduction is also a process of "lightning avoidance", which can help breeding work avoid many detours.

Fang Wei talked a lot, and before he knew it, more than an hour had passed.

The comrades at the breeding base were fascinated by what they heard. These were all people's experiences, and many of them even took out notebooks to record them.

After Fang Wei finished speaking, the audience burst into applause.

Pan Lianhua was delighted to see this. She felt proud that her man was respected outside.

Next, Fang Wei and Pan Lianhua, accompanied by the person in charge, visited the entire breeding base.

This breeding base was built according to high standards and has complete supporting facilities. It is obvious that a huge amount of money has been invested in it.

Fang Wei had a feeling that based on the importance Qinghe County attached to the project and its current progress, it was very likely that they would develop the first generation of hybrid rice seeds in about five years.

He was happy to see this happen, otherwise he would not have come here again and again to guide other people's research work.

There is no difference between the first and the last in learning; the one who is more accomplished is the teacher. In fact, he has already stood at the forefront of this field.

noon.

Fang Wei and Pan Lianhua had their meal at the breeding base, rested for a while after the meal, and then continued to communicate with the comrades at the breeding base.

The next morning, Fang Wei took Pan Lianhua for a stroll in Qinghe County. Pan Lianhua was very excited from beginning to end.

This was the first time she had left the county in her life, and she was curious about everything.

In the afternoon, Fang Wei wrote a [Hybrid Rice Breeding Guide] according to his own understanding, and then handed it to Chang Wenyuan.

"Captain Fang, you've given us such a great gift! I really don't know how to thank you!"

"Not really. I just summarized my research experience. It's all very superficial. I hope it can be useful to you. Director Chang, I have to go back tomorrow. Let's get in touch."

"So anxious? But you're a busy man, so I understand. So, I'll treat you two to dinner and a few drinks tonight."

Chang Wenyuan was really touched. Fang Wei had done much more than he had imagined.

The next day, Fang Wei and Pan Lianhua returned to the village, carrying large and small bags, all of which were local specialties given by others.

A few days passed quickly.

It’s time for the team to plant rice seedlings.

This time, we started in the fields, where the newly purchased rice transplanter came in handy. At first, the operators were unfamiliar with the operation, but once they got used to it, their efficiency improved.

It is much more efficient than manual transplanting, but there is one thing: this thing requires regular maintenance. Basically, it needs to be disassembled, cleaned and oiled after half a day of use.

But no matter what, the two rice transplanters we bought are worth the money and can save a lot of labor.

Immediately afterwards, rice seedlings were planted in the experimental fields.

Due to the particularity of the experimental field, the rice transplanter can only play an auxiliary role, and more manpower is still needed.

Fortunately, Fang Wei concentrated the strength of the entire second team, and the rice planting work in the experimental field was completed quickly.

After finishing these things, it's time to change shifts.

This time, Zheng Hu led the team and replaced Hao Aizhen's team.

When Fang Wei saw Hao Aizhen again, he found that she had become much darker and her skin color was almost catching up with that of the Iron Girl.

The days slipped away in the busyness. The chicks and ducklings raised by Pan Lianhua looked different every day, and they changed a lot in a month.

Fang Wei would sometimes go hunting with her in the mountains with hunting dogs, and he would always give her the chance to get the last shot, which made her very happy.

The family has eaten a lot of wild game recently. Pan Lianhua rarely goes to the propaganda team now. After all, her life is very fulfilling every day, and she is too lazy to go to the propaganda team to kill time.

"Lotus, come with me to the forestry area."

After finishing the rice planting, Fang Ping organized people to carry out a new round of seedling cultivation in the forestry area.

The team now has more than 1 chestnut trees over one year old and more than 7000 tea oil trees over one year old. Of these, 1 chestnut trees have been transplanted, while the tea oil tree transplanting process is slower.

The team is currently replacing the varieties of tea oil trees in its forests, with the annual replacement rate being around 10%-15%, mainly to ensure the normal picking of tea oil seeds.

As the saying goes, it takes ten years to grow a tree. Without five years to transplant the tea oil tree, it is difficult to see the results.

　Thank you all for voting!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)