Farming is a very tedious job, especially when lacking
advanced technology. Years before the Tang dynasty, farmers had
to perform all their tasks by hand, including carrying water from
a nearby water source or hoeing their harvest. As time passed, farmers
became more productive with the creation of new tools such as iron
plows or animal operated machines, new irrigation methods, and water
powered mills. The irrigation canals built during the Han dynasty
allowed more areas to receive water and thus allowed for more agriculture
to feed the growing population. Despite improved tools, the less
fortunate farmers settled with outdated methods and wooden tools.
Farmers started plowing their land as soon as winter
was over and scattered the seeds when the soil was ready. The seeds
were of vegetables such as cabbage and of plants such as hemp, which
was used to make cloth and fuel. In autumn, part of the harvested
crops was used to pay for taxes and the other part was stored for
future use. During the winter season, the farmers were hard at work
caring for their animals and repairing their farm tools for the
next growing season.
