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Research Article

Methodology for Intensive Agriculture: Seo Yu-gu's Rationalization of Agricultural Technology

Oh, Seunghyun

Seoul National University

Published: December 2021 · Vol. 43 No. 3 · pp. 715-759

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36092/KJHS.2021.43.3.715

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Abstract

This study analyzes Seo Yu-gu's Imwon Gyeongjeji, Bonriji vol. 3 to clarify the characteristics of his methodology for intensive agriculture. As an agricultural performer, Seo Yu-gu pursued “rationalization” of agricultural technology by mobilizing available resources, knowledge, and technology for the realization of intensive agriculture. This attempt was intended to replace the conventional practice of instructor farmer that was potentially combined with local arbitrary agricultural administration in Joseon during the late 18th or early 19th century. The characteristics of “reasonable” agricultural technology he suggested are: 1. introducing Chinese knowledge about soil system considering the fact that China and Joseon belong to similar latitudes 2. dispelling the conventional belief that climate is determined by local region and suggesting alternative explanations 3. accurately identifying agricultural timing and weather foresight by making precise measurements of local latitude and longitude, and by using information on vegetation growth. The intended bearers of the agricultural technology Se Yu-gu proposed were the village noblemen (myong-nong) who were expected to replace the instructor farmers with conventional tacit knowledge about agriculture.
Keywords: Seo Yu-gu 徐有榘Imwon GyeongjejiBonriji 林園經濟志 本利志rationalization of agricultural technologysoil systemmeasurement of local latitude and longitude