Proverb on the Weather of the Lesser Fullness of Grain
South China Region: "Lesser Fullness, Greater Fullness, rivers and streams are full" reflects the climatic characteristics of this area with abundant and heavy rainfall.
Generally speaking, if at this time the cold air from the north can penetrate deep into southern China, and the warm and moist air currents in the south are also strong, it is very easy to cause heavy or even torrential rains in the South China region. Therefore, the later period of the Lesser Fullness of Grain is often a critical stage for flood prevention in these areas.
Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River: "If no rain at Lesser Fullness, less rain during the Plum Rain"; "If no rain at Lesser Fullness, no water for the Grain in Ear"
For the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River region, if rainfall is scarce during this period, it may be due to the weaker position of the subtropical high in the Pacific Ocean, which is located further south. This means that precipitation may be less during the Plum Rain season. Hence the folk sayings: "If no rain at Lesser Fullness, less rain during the Plum Rain"; "If no rain at Lesser Fullness, no water for the Grain in Ear".
Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yellow River: "If Lesser Fullness is not full, there is a risk for the wheat"
During the Lesser Fullness of Grain, in regions like the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, there is also the saying: "If Lesser Fullness is not full, there is a risk for the wheat." This "risk" refers to the fact that wheat has just entered the milky-ripe stage and is very vulnerable to damage from dry-hot winds, which can lead to insufficient grain filling, shriveled kernels, and reduced yield. There are many ways to defend against dry-hot winds, such as creating shelterbelts of trees and spraying chemical agents, which are very effective measures.
Jiangnan Region: "At Lesser Fullness, the three carts are set in motion, so busy one doesn't know what to do"
The "three carts" here refer to the water cart, the oil cart, and the silk cart. At this time, crops in the fields need ample water, so farmers are busy pedaling the water cart to pump water. The harvested rapeseed also awaits the farmers to pound it into fragrant rapeseed oil. Farm work in the fields naturally cannot be delayed. But the silkworms at home also need careful attention. Around the Lesser Fullness of Grain, silkworms begin to spin cocoons, and households raising silkworms are busy operating the silk-reeling machine. The "Qing Lu Lu" records: "When the Lesser Fullness arrives, women boil cocoons, prepare their reels, and reel silk, working day and night." This shows that in ancient times, new silk was about to come onto the market during the Lesser Fullness of Grain, and the silk market was about to boom. Silkworm farmers and silk merchants were all full of expectation, waiting for the harvest day to arrive soon.
In addition, during the Lesser Fullness of Grain, the Jiangnan region is often also full of rivers, lakes, and streams. If it is not full, it must be a year of drought and little rain. There are many proverbs about this. For example, in the three provinces of Anhui, Jiangxi, and Hubei, there is the saying: "If Lesser Fullness is not full, there is no water to wash dishes." In regions like Guangxi, Sichuan, and Guizhou, there is the agricultural proverb: "If Lesser Fullness is not full, the field ridges will dry up." Sichuan province also has the saying: "If no rain at Lesser Fullness, the plow and harrow will be hung high." Here, the character "满" (full) does not refer to the grains of the crops being full, but rather to an abundance of rain.