Fundamentals of Agriculture and Sericulture, Volume 3

There are two varieties: those with purple stems and those with white stems. Additionally, there are differences in size; there is also a variety called the "duck-foot" mallow original: "鴨腳葵" (yajiaokui). This likely refers to the leaf shape resembling a duck's foot.. When it is time for sowing, the seeds must be dry.

Sun-dry the mallow seeds. Mallow seeds will not spoil even after a year if they are sun-dried. However, the soil must not be poor, but rather fertile.

Land where old ruins stood is even better. If the soil is thin, then apply manure to it. One should not plant them recklessly. In the spring, they must be grown in plots original: "畦" (qi). These are raised or bordered garden beds designed for intensive cultivation and efficient irrigation..

Sow and water them. In spring, there is much wind and drought; without using plots, the plants will not grow. Furthermore, plots save space while producing many vegetables; one plot can sustain one person.

[Each plot should be] two paces long and one pace wide. If the plot is too large, the water is difficult to distribute evenly; furthermore, this size ensures that people do not need to step inside [the bed]. Dig deep. Using

well-rotted manure original: "熟糞" (shufen). Composted or fermented manure that has "cooled," preventing it from burning young seedlings., mix it half-and-half with soil and cover the surface. Make this layer one inch thick. Use an iron-toothed

rake original: "杷" (ba). to level it. Make [the soil] fine. Tread on it with your feet to make it firm. Level the bed and let in water until it is thoroughly saturated.

Once the water has fully soaked in, sow the mallow seeds. Again, cover them with a mixture of well-rotted manure and soil. Let

Watering should be done in the morning and evening; [do not water] at midday. [the layer] be over one inch thick. When the mallow has grown three leaves, only then water them.