Tilling Illustration 13

Third Weeding

The spreading stalks fill the paddies as the days reach their longest;
Once again, they diligently tend the thick clusters down in the ponds. original: fangtang, literally "square ponds," referring to the irrigated sections of the rice paddy.
How one must pity their scorched backs under the sweltering, steaming heat;
Their only hope is that these green fields will soon send forth purple awns. original: zimang, "purple awns." The awn is the hair-like bristle on the grain; "purple" suggests the transformation of the crop as it nears maturity.

Hoeing weeds under the midday sun,

The fierce sun burns like fire.

One must put all strength into this weeding;

This hardship is but for this season.

Cicadas chirp urgently before the wind;

Frog songs echo from beneath the water.

The stifling heat is right for the blossoms to form,

This refers to the "brewing" of the rice flowers within the stalk, which requires high humidity and heat.

As green waves dance and tumble in the breeze.

The red fire of the sun blazes through the long midday;
During the third weeding, scorched backs are turned toward the wooded pond.
Could there be a message from the cooling southern breeze? original: xunfeng, the "fragrant" or "meritorious" south wind, which in Chinese mythology is said to ease the people's burdens and cool the summer heat.
From the horizon, a slight warmth stirs the green awns.

Third Weeding In the fields, the work of the third weeding is handled with great diligence. Although weeding is said to be bitter and difficult, I have seen the sprouts flourish; this is a test of agricultural administration. One must also observe the rustic joy of the countryside. In the Northern lands, circular weeding original: huanyun, a weeding technique used in dry-land farming ensures the sprouts grow evenly, and the vigorous stalks gather like clouds of grain.