Nóng zhèng quán shū 農政全書
Complete Treatise on Agricultural Administration by 徐光啟 (Xú Guāngqǐ, 1562–1633, 明)
About the work
A 60-juan Late-Míng comprehensive agricultural encyclopedia by Xú Guāngqǐ, the major Late-Míng Confucian-Christian polymath. The work was substantially complete at Xú’s death in 1633 but was published posthumously in 1639 with editorial work by Chén Zǐlóng 陳子龍 (1608–1647). The work synthesises pre-modern Chinese agricultural literature (Qí mín yào shù, the two Nóng shū, Nóngsāng jí yào, etc.) with substantial new material drawn from Xú’s own field experience and from Jesuit-introduced Western agricultural-technical material. Distinguished by its substantial Bèi huāng 備荒 (famine-preparedness) section and its incorporation of Jiù huāng běn cǎo (KR3d0006) materials. The frontmatter brackets to ca. 1620–1639.
Abstract
The Nóng zhèng quán shū is the most comprehensive pre-modern Chinese agricultural encyclopedia and the principal Late-Míng agricultural-administrative reference. The work has had unbroken Qīng-period reception and is the canonical pre-modern Chinese agricultural-administrative treatise. The bibliographic record: Míng shǐ yìwén zhì; SKQS Zǐbù — Nóngjiā lèi.
Translations and research
- Joseph Needham et al., Science and Civilisation in China vol. 6 — extensive use.
- Francesca Bray, Agriculture (1984) — major treatment.
- Standard modern Chinese editions integrate Wáng Yú-hú 王毓瑚 et al.
Links
- Predecessors: Qí mín yào shù (KR3d0001), Nóng shū of Chén Fū (KR3d0002) and Wáng Zhēn (KR3d0005), Nóngsāng jí yào (KR3d0003), Jiù huāng běn cǎo (KR3d0006).
- Successor: Qīn dìng shòu shí tōng kǎo (KR3d0010, the Qiánlóng-period imperial successor).
- Kyoto Zinbun, Sìkù quánshū zǒngmù tíyào
- Wikipedia
- Wikidata