Research on the Development of Agriculture in Shandong during the Ming Dynasty

Author: Cheng Shujun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: The agriculture referred to in this book refers to the narrow sense of agriculture, specifically crop cultivation. This definition is adopted for two reasons: first, crop cultivation accounted for the largest proportion among the various sectors of ancient agriculture, and the two can almost be considered equivalent; second, the important role of Shandong agricultural development in the Ming Dynasty was primarily targeted at crop cultivation. Given the above reasons, the examination of Ming Dynasty Shandong agriculture is limited to crop cultivation. Based on rich and detailed local historical records and other documentary materials, this book comprehensively and thoroughly analyzes the development of Ming Dynasty Shandong agriculture from five aspects: the production environment of agriculture, land reclamation and utilization, adjustments in agricultural planting structure, the limitations of agricultural development, and the factors influencing agricultural development. The book is well-supported by historical materials, logical, reliable in its arguments, and precise in its analysis. It not only evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of previous research on certain issues and fills the gaps in existing studies but also proposes some original viewpoints.