清中期以降永定河工中的秸料使用-《中国农史》

文章信息/Info

Title:: Utilization of Sorghum Straw in Hydraulic Constructions of Yongding River Since the Mid-Qing Dynasty

Author(s):: SHAO Hua; （Institute of Qing History, Renmin University of China, Beijing 100872）

摘要:: 清中期以降，永定河工的堤坝维护和埽工抢险中，秫秸使用逐渐增多，并逐步取代石料、芦苇等。受制于农作节令、水灾等因素，河工呈现出季节性特征，且秸料供给往往不能满足需要。秸料虽耐久性差，饱受批评，但由于清代中期以后永定河善淤善决，河工疲于堵塞，河流改道频繁，长久性工程并不划算，加之价格低廉，因而一直居于主流。秫秸采办多出于国家筹集的经费，地点集中在近畿地带，但强制征派给地方社会带来困扰。永定河工中秸料使用的增多，同明清以来华北平原高粱种植兴起密切相关，亦反映出水灾频发之下民众开垦洼地及“一水一麦”的生存智慧。清廷无法限制民众的滩地开垦，高粱的广泛用途和耐受性，又便利了后者开发洼地。看似于小农、于河工均有利益的高粱种植，实则亦是让永定河流域陷入更大不确定性中的推手之一。

Abstract:: Since middle Qing dynasty, more and more sorghum straw were used in hydraulic projects of Yongding river and gradually replaced stones and reeds. Due to the schedules of agriculture and flood, seasonal characteristics of hydraulic constructions became evident. Local straw could not supply these works. Although being criticized for its vulnerability, sorghum straw was the most important material in hydraulic projects of Yongding river. Several reasons contributed for this phenomenon. The river was easily silting up, breaking the dams and changing courses. It’s uneconomic to build long-lasting facilities. The Qing state raised main funds for buying sorghum straw, which mainly came from neighbors. However, compulsive levy brought troubles to local society. The background of straw use was the rise of sorghum planting on Huabei Plain during Ming-Qing period. It was also a result of survival wisdom of local people, who cultivated easily-flooded land near the river and formed the agricultural schedule, "yishuiyimai（一水一麦, planting wheat after flooding）". Government could not restrain cultivation on river beaches. The wide uses and resilience of sorghum facilitated people’s farming. It seems that planting sorghum was both profitable for local people and hydraulic works, however, it was also the pushing hand which put Yongding river basin into greater uncertainty.