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Jiuhuang jianyi shu 救荒簡易書

Mar 2, 2022 © Ulrich Theobald

Jiuhuang jianyi shu 救荒簡易書 is a book on disaster relief written during the late Qing period 清 (1644-1911) by Guo Yunsheng 郭雲昇 (fl. 1896), courtesy name Linhao 霖浩, from Huaxian 滑縣, Henan. He belonged to the staff of the central administration of Zhang Yao 張 (1832-1891), governor (xunfu 巡撫), of the province of Shandong.

The book of originally 12 juan (of which only juan 1-4 survive) provides information on precautionary measures for disaster relief. The first chapter (Jiuhuang yueling 救荒月令) is the central part of the book, and explains the right modes of cultivation of staple grain and vegetables. The second fascicle (Jiuhuang tuyi 救荒土宜) expounds various types of soil, and gives recommendations for fertilisation, and which crops might be cultivated on what type of soil. The following chapters focus on the drilling of wells (gengzao 耕鑿), cultivation in general (zhongzhi 種植), diet (yinshi 飲食), medical care (liaozhi 療治), pawning or vending land (zhimai 質買), moving households (zhuanyi 轉移), start of a household business (xingzuo 興作), instruction of others (zhaotu 招徒), cooperation (lianluo 聯絡), and precautions in general (yubei 預備).

Guo's book was finished in 1896.

Sources:
Nongye da cidian bianji weiyuanhui 《農業大詞典》編輯委員會, ed. (1998). Nongye da cidian 農業大詞典 (Beijing: Zhongguo nongye chubanshe), 852.
Wang Sheng 王昇 (2016). "Jiuhuang jianyi shu suo jian zhi nongye jishu jianzai cuoshi 《救荒簡易書》所見之農業技術減災措施", Huabei Shuili Shuidian Daxue xuebao (Shehui kexue ban) 華北水利水電大學學報 (社會科學版), 2016 (4): 152-155.
Wang Yuhu 王毓瑚, ed. (1964). Zhongguo nongxue shulu 中國農學書錄 (Beijing: Nongye chubanshe), 289.
Wu Feng 吳楓, ed. (1987). Jianming Zhongguo guji cidian 簡明中國古籍辭典 (Changchun: Jilin wenshi chubanshe), 786.