Basic Farming by Micheal Tommas

[Bearic]

(This Book mentions methods of farming, and basic farming practices that are written in a way that most people able to read should be able to grasp the ideas.)
 
List of content:
[LIST=1]

• Introduction.
• The very basics, planting and harvesting.
• Crop techniques: Including Irrigation, and Crop rotation.
• Animal care.
• Structures and their use.

1. First, allow me to introduce the use of this book. In our current day, and place - An island on the flamerule date - we have need of a rebuilding of farming areas, as an orc battle ravaged the local ones. In anticipation of the rubble being cleared, hopes of the area's protection, and desire to create knowledge to be passed upon the masses, I have written this short manual that teaches basic farming, and helps to familiarise one with more advanced methods. ~ Micheal Tommas
 
2. Basic Planting and Harvesting: Most farming should start after any frost has disappeared from the season, so usually a few to six months after winter, depending upon your area. Considering the current island is tropical, farming for some crops could most likely be done year round, but as a general rule, avoid planting around frost periods, or at least wait a week to test the weather. A farmer's almanac is your best friend in such events.
 
Crops, depending on type, may take months at end to grow, and as such need to be protected from the elements, and animals that might eat them. Scare crows are one method, although they don't necessarily work. Certain bugs are known to be beneficial to farmers, such as bees, lady bugs, soldier beetles, and tachind fly. How ever, the best method is to learn from someone that knows the local ecosystem, and has a firm grasp on their surroundings, such as a Druid or Ranger.
 
Harvesting is usually done when the crop has finished growing, and is usually pretty obvious how to do unless the plant is difficult to collect like cotton. In any case, how ever, certain tools make this much easier, such as scythes, spades, wheel barrels, plows, and hoes. Utilizing this tools makes the job much easier, and prevents the crop from spoiling before it's collected, as it can be collected quicker.
 
3. Crop growing Techniques: Certain techniques make farm growth, and maintaining much simpler, and some are necessary in given areas. For example, irrigation is very important in places where water is scarce, and may be needed just to grow basic feeds.
 
Crop rotation: Rotating crops every season, and leaving a patch of wild, or unused land, may insure that the land doesn't turn desolate. When rotating crops, one should plant a crop of a different kind in its place, so that the ground is used up completely, but allowed to regrow from the other sort of crop. The use should generally be deep rooted plants to short rooted, and legumes like beans, to wheat, grains or grasses.
 
Irrigation: Through use of water ways, trenches, and water mills, crops can be given either a steady supply of water, or even to even survive. Seeing as we're in a rather tropical place, this shouldn't be of most concern, but mills can be used to crush grain, wheat, barley or other crops to be prepared, and require less man work.
 
Fertilizer: A standard, I should have included it above, most great working fertilizers are made from fish, cattle waste, and compost. Use of these promote growth, and may be needed if the land is too harsh. Druids and Rangers may know the best local sources, though this isn't guaranteed.
 
Slash and Burn practices: Should only be used if the ground proves useless with even all above practices. This method has one cut any tree, or large plant, and then burn the ground to attempt to replace the quality of farmland with the burnt remains. This should not be done on a windy day, in a drought, or in an uncontrollable area. Fires are always dangerous, and can spread quickly, should one use this method, they should be sure to watch that the fire doesn't go out of control, and have a large source of water or sand near by. Land around the fire should be circled with rocks, or sand, and made wet.
 
4. Animal Care: Cattle, ox, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, donkeys, horses, and a number of other animals can be farmed, or used on farms. Ox are fantastic for plows, cows of course give milk and fertilizer, pigs and goats eat waste, and sheep give wool, that works much like cotton. Care for such animals should usually be dictated by a local ranger or druid, as they can communicate with the animal often, but basic respects should also protect the animal and allow you to work along side them. If stubborn, even to a druid or ranger, one should most likely try to curb their behaviours, or let the animal to pasture if there is no other choice. How ever, don't expect the animal to do all the work for you, if you mistreat an animal and don't do your part, they can often tell.
 
5. Structures and their use: Barns, mills, pens, and fencing are all very important for farming. How ever, a barn does not have to be a certain size, or shape, it just has to work for its end. A small barn, or chicken coop, is all you need for chickens, while a herd of cattle could need lots of rooming space, and rather large housing for the wintry seasons. Mills, wind or other wise, usually should be built in areas that make the most use of them; water mills near rivers, and wind mills in rather windy areas, or hills. As with most things, this is pretty obvious, but fencing and pens are almost always required for keeping animals other than dogs and cats, which can help with herding animals, and keeping pests out of their stocks.