Chapter 324 - 203 Cultivating Land
Today marked the Agricultural Department’s first use of the experimental fields to teach tribesmen how to farm, so they approached the event with exceptional importance. Volenus personally oversaw the organization, splitting all the attending tribesmen into dozens of groups and having experienced Agricultural Department subordinates, Official Tribe Members, or Reserve Tribe Members provide explanations and demonstrations. He himself also took charge of explaining one of the groups.
"Do you know why the land must first be tilled before planting wheat?" Volenus asked the "students" gathered at the edge of the field.
The "students" learning in his group were far from ordinary. They included Spukala and Tetilipus, heroes credited with bridge construction; Pequot, a celebrated warrior; military leaders such as Fesaros, Tolirugo, and Camillus; as well as department heads Pigeris, Horace, Karina, and others.
Even seasoned Roman veterans like Flanitnus, Quintus, and Lebilus—all of whom had prior farming experience—were present at the experimental field. Having failed at farming before, they now needed to learn thoroughly, especially now that they could no longer rely on slaves for help. In their eyes, Volenus, the Chief Officer of the Agricultural Department, was the tribe’s "farming expert."
Virtually all of the group’s students were prominent figures of the tribe, so Volenus couldn’t avoid taking on the explanation role himself.
"Well... tilling can make the soil looser, which is more conducive to wheat growth. It can also expose insect eggs and pests hidden in the soil, making it easier to remove or kill them so they don’t damage the wheat seedlings later. Additionally, it can uproot weeds to stop them from competing with the wheat for resources..." Quintus said carefully.
"Quintus, you explained that very well. Anything else?" Volenus asked.
"That’s all I know."
"What about the rest of you?" Volenus looked at the others.
"I’m with Quintus—I only know that much."
"Don’t ask me; I’ve never farmed before, so I have no clue."
"I’ve farmed before, but we kept it simple: dig a pit, sprinkle seeds, pour some water, and leave it be—it was very basic. Unsurprisingly, the harvest was minimal."