Crop Protection in Medieval Agriculture: Studies in Pre-modern Organic Agriculture by Zadoks Jan C

Author:Zadoks, Jan C.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: HISTORY / Medieval
ISBN: 9789088901881
Publisher: Sidestone Press
Published: 2013-12-04T05:00:00+00:00

Gypsum was used to seal storage vessels filled with lentils, a good protection against weevils [CO-2.10.16]. ‘Stored barley will be protected from whatever damage by sieving pulverised gypsum over the storage room and the grain so that a trace of white can be seen’ [IA-2.324]. — Gypsum in old texts may refer to gypsum as we know it today or to quicklime.15

Iron filings added to baits were expected to kill voles and mice. ‘If you mix filings of iron with yeast and you place it where mice abound, by tasting it they will die’.16 — Do iron filings cause internal bleeding, comparable to modern coumarin? Possibly, an iron salt (ferrous sulphate) was formed but iron salts are not effective.17

Konion. The word κόνιον (also κονία) is used in the Geoponika for either caustic soda (NaOH) or quicklime (CaO). Unfortunately the word is similar to that for hemlock, κώνειον. This similarity leads to much confusion. Konion is part of a herbicide (§ 5.3.4).

Lead. To control caterpillars in trees and vines pulverize Lemnian red lead in water and pour that on the roots and plant sea squill around them [GE-10.90.1]. Ibn al-‛Awwām quoted a recipe from ‘Nabatean Agriculture’. ‘To remove rats from the harvest take burned lead, that is to say litharge[= lead monoxide] and cerose [=white lead], knead it with one sixth of flour, weight for weight, adding some olive oil. Make little balls the size of peas, cover them with cheese with a strong smell, and place these on the trail of the rats, that die immediately upon eating them’ [IA-2.335].

Lime. Probably ground limestone (CaCO3) is meant. Smith & Secoy (1976) reported that lime (slaked lime, Ca(OH)2) came into use in the late 16th century to kill insects, slugs, and snails.

Lodestone. Place a lodestone (a magnetic stone) at the entry of an ant nest and the ants will not leave but dig in. A lodestone in the middle of a heap of wheat will keep away the ants and kill the bats [IA-1.597]. — Recommended because of its scarcity? Bats will not be killed but ant species which have a magnetic sensitivity might be diverted.21

Manure. Various kinds of manure and their respective merits were amply discussed by most pre-modern authors. Here, we only consider crop protection effects. Pigeon manure was seen as ‘hot’, which is justified, though today we say, rather,‘sharp’ or – more technically – ‘concentrated’.22 Manure from water fowl was seen as poor in quality or even damaging for reasons unknown but possibly correct. Fresh cattle manure was often used for treatment of wounds in trees, until well into the 19th century.23 — Many recipes were very specific. I suspect that these particularities were meant to impress the reader without being based on experiment or experience.

Pigeon manure is the second best manure to kill the vermin, the first being ash [GE-12.4.2]. Smeared on the bare roots of trees pigeon manure protects against caterpillars [GE-10.90.5]. It kills locusts; second best is human manure that has a weed destroying property [IA-1.83]. ‘Pigeon and swine manure are also used for dressing wounds in trees’ [NH-17.

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