Agricultural Treatise, Volume 5

It can be planted from the time it breaks the shell 破甲 (pojia): The moment of germination when the seedling pierces the seed coat until it bears seeds; every stage is edible. In the beginning of the tenth month, pull the seedlings and scald 煠 (zha): To quickly boil or blanch them to make a blended vegetable dish 和菜 (he cai): A mixed dish of greens, often seasoned or pickled. The remainder is dried in the sun; leave the roots in the ground or boil them.

In the Heshuo region Literally "North of the River," referring to the cold plains north of the Yellow River, the ground is cold and the plants may freeze to death. At the end of the tenth month, one can use an ox to plow every third furrow Original: 以牛隔兩犁耕一犁 — plowing one furrow and skipping two. After picking up the vegetable roots, use a harrow 櫌 (you): A wooden tool used to level the soil and cover seeds to spread the warm soil evenly. Those roots that were first plowed out, after being dried in the sun, can be steamed for eating during the winter months; they are sweet and flavorful.

In the spring, the bolting stalks 薹苗 (taimiao): The flowering stems of brassicas emerge, which are also considered a top-grade vegetable. In the fourth month, collect the seeds to press for oil. In Shaanxi, they exclusively eat this vegetable oil. When burned in lamps, it is exceptionally bright. It is said to be able to turn "garlic hair" black Original: 蒜髮 (suan fa); a metaphorical term for white hair. The text suggests the oil has medicinal or cosmetic properties to restore hair color.

Compared to sesame, it is easier to plant and yields more oil; furthermore, the oil does not attract wind In Traditional Chinese Medicine, "wind" (feng) can refer to pathogens causing itching, tremors, or numbness; this oil was considered "stable" or healthy for the constitution. Because Marquis Wu Zhuge Liang (181–234 CE), the famed strategist of the Shu Han Kingdom frequently encouraged the planting of this vegetable, the people of the Sichuan region call it Zhuge’s Vegetable. The oil is kept for use as needed.