농사직설 Glossary
Mangjong
- Chinese: 芒種節
- Korean: 망종절
Mangjong (Kor. 망종, Chin. 芒種, lit. bearded grain) is the ninth of the twenty-four solar terms. Occurring between Soman (Kor. 소만, Chin. 小滿, Beginning of Grain Ripening) and Haji (Kor. 하지, Chin. 夏至, Summer Solstice), Mangjong usually falls during the fifth month on the lunar calendar and happens around June sixth on the Gregorian calendar. The sun reaches the celestial longitude of 75 degrees on this day. As suggested by its name, Mangjong indicates the appropriate time to harvest the first crop and sow the second of bearded grains such as rice and barley.[1]
Night soil
- Chinese: 人糞
- Korean: 인분
Night soil is a euphemism for human feces collected from cesspools, privies, pail closets, pit latrines, privy middens, septic tanks, etc. Human excreta may be attractive as fertilizer because of the high demand for fertilizer and the relative availability of the material to create night soil. In areas where native soil is of poor quality, the local population may weigh the risk of using night soil.
Some people refer to human excreta as human manure, and the word "humanure" has also been used. Just like animal manure, it can be applied as a soil conditioner (reuse of excreta in agriculture). Sewage sludge is a material that contains human excreta, as it is generated after mixing excreta with water and treatment of the wastewater in a sewage treatment plant.[2]
Since ancient times, the people of East Asia have traditionally supported a large population by utilizing this natural means of fertilization.[3]
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