Student: Excuse
me, Professor, can I ask you a few questions about early farming?
Professor:
Yes, sure. I’ll be glad to help you.
S: How did
early farmers cultivate their land?
P: The life
of a farmer has never been easy! First, they had to clear a plot of land, and
then they dug it using sharp sticks. Later on they learned to plough their land;
it was a lot more convenient to use a plough than a sharp stick.
S: They had
to irrigate their fields, didn’t they? How did early farmers water their
fields?
P: They
often dug small irrigation canals and connected them to rivers.
S: I see. They
were able to organize some kind of water supply. I didn’t know that! But could
they actually control the level of water in their irrigation canals?
P: Controlling
water has always been difficult, but early farmers did their best. They built dams
on small rivers to hold back the water. They needed the constant supply of
water to grow their crops. They also needed water for their animals and themselves.
For that reason people in those days chose places for their settlements near
rivers and lakes.
S: Thank
you very much, Professor! I learn something every day from you.
P: You are
welcome. That’s what teachers are for!