Her Cultivation Diary
Chapter 923 - 905. What are cotton-padded trousers?

Chapter 923: 905. What are cotton-padded trousers?

Professor Song looked at them as if they were greedy ghosts.

Song Tan felt wronged: "I did as you instructed, 500 strawberry plants per unit of land, with a fluctuation of 50 plants more or less."

They had only added 50 more plants, spread over two units of land, which is really nothing.

Professor Song: ...In plain terms, one was equating to two of other people’s. They’ve been farming since spring and summer, they really shouldn’t be so inexperienced. But they had previously grown vegetables, like cucumbers and cowpeas, and planting those denser, just extending the trellis would solve the issue.

For peppers, eggplants, and the like, grown outdoors with sturdy stems underneath for ventilation, so there wasn’t much of a problem.

But strawberries are different!

They already have a somewhat creeping growth habit, and now they’re in greenhouses, where the ventilation conditions can’t compare to those outdoors. The leaves are piled upon leaves, flowers upon flowers.

Once they touch the ground, who knows where these creeping stems will spread to! There’s not a single breath of ventilation space in between... If this continues, diseases will inevitably occur!

Frankly speaking, the fact that they haven’t gotten sick by the blooming time has already surprised Professor Song!

But at this moment, other vegetables in the greenhouse are already vigorously growing, and there’s simply no space to move these strawberry seedlings!

Professor Song had a headache: "Now... it’s no longer just a matter of having an extra 100 plants, I estimate that for both types of strawberries, about 300 plants need to be moved out..."

He gave Song Tan a suggestion: "How about building another small greenhouse?"

Song Tan was stunned: "Adding flour to water when there’s too much water, and water to flour when there’s too much flour?"

Professor Song glared: "Then what should we do with these seedlings?"

Especially now that it’s the flowering period, fruiting and growth are imminent, even express delivery isn’t suitable—after all, such fine seedlings, even the slightest waste feels like a shame!

Song Tan was reluctant: "If I’m to build another greenhouse, having built it already, why wouldn’t I make it bigger and plant some more different vegetables?"

Professor Song thoughtfully said: "That’s also quite good, your greenhouse is still a bit monotonous."

Song Tan shook his head: "No way, no way. We agreed to take a rest this winter, and it’s already quite laborious to take care of this greenhouse."

Let’s postpone the business to next year. Next year, when there are more people, any arrangement will do, but definitely not this year.

Professor Song felt a great headache.

In his younger years, when doing field research, he would also go to assist farmers one-on-one, typically encountering several types of people—

Those who do as the experts say with full trust but are economically strapped.

Those who do a discounted version of what experts say, with trust also discounted.

And then there are those who don’t believe anything the experts say, do things their own way with no trust at all, but still seek out experts when issues arise.

And Song Tan...is difficult to evaluate, really difficult to evaluate.

Now the two of them were squatting in the strawberry field, watching Bear Bee buzz and work diligently, and for a moment they were both at a loss.

After a while, Song Tan suddenly asked: "My seedlings are growing better than others’, after the New Year I plan to find a way to get everyone in the village to plant them... So how many years do you think this superiority can last?"

Professor Song subconsciously said: "Isn’t that what I’ve been researching?"

They looked at each other, and in unison said: "We still have to thank Grandma Tang/your Teacher Tang, though."

Song Tan then took out his phone and directly called Tian Tian, who had just gone to the mountain dormitory to pack.

Once she arrived, Professor Song also made a plan:

"Tian Tian, you said your parents aren’t in great health and can only manage some light tasks. To what extent can they do?"

Tian Tian paused, then replied, "For example, like growing some scallions, ginger, garlic, and other vegetables at home, my mom can take her time with it, and my dad can help out."

"It might be slower than others and can be tiring, but there’s no less produce from our land this year than in previous years."

"That’ll do!" Professor Song decided: "You’ve seen it, Song Tan’s strawberry plants are thriving better than others, and right now is the critical pollination period—would you be willing to partner with me to set up an experimental plot of land at your home?"

"To grow strawberries?" Tian Tian asked.

Then she added, somewhat anxiously, "We’ve never grown those before. Does it require building a greenhouse?"

Professor Song nodded, "Yes, but not too big; one part of land would suffice—and since it’s a cooperative effort, I’ll provide you with the plants and take care of the greenhouse costs. These plants are few, so neither transplanting nor subsequent management will be exhausting, which should be well-suited to your family’s situation."

Tian Tian smiled, "What kind of partnership is this? My family is getting all the benefits for free."

She spoke directly, "Since you trust me, how about this? You’ll handle the greenhouse and the plants, and rent one part of our land for 200 yuan a year."

She quoted a high price, considering that one part of land is just over 60 square meters, and renting an entire plot of land for a year usually only costs a few hundred yuan, right?

"I’ll take a slight advantage, recommending my parents take care of the strawberries, paying each 1500 per month. If there are any losses, we’ll compensate at market value."

"Though my dad can’t do heavy labor, he’s patient and can dedicate his time to properly take care of them."

"My mom has always been good at farming; our vegetables at home have always grown better than others’, and the land has been well-kept."

"Most importantly, I’m working here and will rely on us to earn money in the future, so my parents certainly won’t breach any agreement."

Tian Tian said seriously, "Professor Song, Song Tan, I’m not in debt now, and following you, the future looks bright; don’t let me take too much advantage."

Taking advantage once paves the way for more—desires are endless, and it won’t be long before the good relationship wears thin.

And... learning by herself at Song Tan’s place will earn her own keep.

But if her parents could also learn more about farming, even with their poor health, casually tending to an extra couple of parts of land could yield some annual income.

So after all that talk about not wanting advantages, she was still reaping the benefits... Tian Tian looked at Song Tan, her expression growing resolute.

Professor Song also looked at Song Tan; after all, she was the one making the decisions.

And Song Tan readily nodded, "That’s great! Plant a bit sparser, and next year when the runners spread and grow, those plants could be sold at a good price."

Tian Tian was overjoyed, promptly nodding and promising, "Don’t worry, for next year’s sake, my parents will take good care of them!"

Once they get the hang of farming this year, her parents could recuperate a bit more and next year, dedicate a plot or two to selling strawberries.

Tian Tian’s initiative was on display again:

"Right, give me the contact for the greenhouse construction; I’ll get in touch as soon as I get home!"

"As soon as it’s built, and when pollination here is done, we’ll be ready to transplant—there’s not much to tidy up in the dorm, so I won’t start my new job these next few days, I’ll go home and keep an eye on the greenhouse construction!"

Saying this, she hurriedly walked away again!

And Song Tan, after a moment of consideration, managed just in time to yell out as she watched her leave, "Put on the cotton-lined pants I gave you!"

The audience, buzzing in the live stream like sleepy bumblebees, suddenly snapped awake:

[Cotton-lined pants? What cotton-lined pants?!]