"...So for now, the main thing is still pest and disease control. Look at the leaves to see whether they have enough nutrients, and don't let water collect after it rains..."
At noon, Li Jianguo came back with the horse-drawn cart. Li Long and Mom had already cooked lunch and deboned and braised the meat, so the workers could eat right away.
Over lunch, Li Long went through the specific things his eldest brother would need to watch out for when growing seed watermelons.
The watermelon crop mattered a great deal to both brothers. Grand ambitions aside, they at least wanted to avoid losing money on it this year.
A capable professor had taught them the methods. Surely they could follow his instructions?
Unless they simply didn't want to make the money.
Li Jianguo was a man of action. He asked Li Long to leave the sheet of paper with him, and Li Long said:
"I came to deliver the sheep today. I'll head back this afternoon, then go to the County Agricultural Supplies Company tomorrow and buy all the fertilizer and pesticides we need. That way, they'll be ready whenever you need them."
Li Jianguo had nothing more to say.
After lunch, Li Long drove the tractor to Gu Boyuan's house again.
"What are you doing back again?" Gu Boyuan had only just finished eating too. Cooking for one was easier, but cleaning up was still a bother.
Living alone, he had never cared to make things complicated. Li Long bringing the meat over today had kept him from working in the fields, and he was actually rather pleased, though he hadn't shown it on his face. Despite having spent many years as a farmer, he was still happier when he didn't have to work in the fields.
After