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280
THE LÎ xi.
BK. IV.
12. In this month the ground lies steaming and wet beneath the heats, for great rains are (also) continually coming. They burn the grass lying cut upon the ground and bring the water over it. This is as effectual to kill the roots as hot water would be; and the grass thus serves to manure the fields of grain and hemp, and to fatten the ground which has been but just marked out for cultivation.
13. If, in the last month of summer, the governmental proceedings proper to spring were observed, the produce of grain would be scanty and fail; in the states there would be many colds and coughs; and the people would remove to other places. If the proceedings proper to autumn were observed, even the high grounds would be flooded; the grain that had been sown would not ripen; and there would be many miscarriages among women. If those proper to winter were observed, the winds and cold would come out of season; the hawks and falcons would prematurely attack their prey; and all along the four borders people would enter their places of shelter.
SUPPLEMENTARY SECTION.
1. Right in the middle(between Heaven and Earth, and the other elements) is earth.
2. Its days are wû and ki.
3. Its divine ruler is Hwang Tt; and the attending) spirit is Hâu-tha.
1 Compare what is said on the duties of those who cut the grass, as is here assumed to be done, in the Kâu Li, Book XXXVII, paragraphs 80, 81 (WE ).
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