Whereas Athena was explaining the opposite options of the animal pen, as a substitute of listening, I used to be busy arguing with the system.

“The feed storage room is custom-made to forestall moisture. Most livestock can eat hay, silage, legumes, and grains. Birds feed on birch branches and nestle leaves in summer season, which saves them from vitamin deficiency and permits them to fly sooner in winter.

“A mud pit is critical for any hog farm. Pigs haven’t got sweat glands, so they should wallow in mud to manage their physique temperature successfully.

“Chickens want an ash pit to wash their pores and skin and feathers from parasites. Be sure that the ratio is one half ash, two components river sand, and 100 grams of sulphur — as a result of concentrated ash accommodates potassium and soda that may irritate the pores and skin and mucous membranes of birds.

“I will have Ulysses make one later.”

“Is that so?” was all I may reply with. I did not even perceive most of what she stated.

“Let’s transfer on to your Vertical Farm, my Lord.”

We went to the backyard home subsequent. It was only a small ten by ten sq. meter constructing fabricated from stone brick and glass. After we went inside, I used to be immediately amazed by what I noticed.

The vegetation have been organized on a transferring carousel that raised and lowered the vegetation to make sure that every one obtained an equal quantity of sunshine and water.

“As an alternative of soil, coconut husks, and shredded tree bark, immersed the roots instantly in a substrate answer containing all the required vitamins that Ulysses concocted. This fashion, the vegetation needn’t expend vitality growing a big root system and might as a substitute concentrate on ripening the crop.

“The water container above the vegetation makes use of gravity to push the water by way of the irrigation system, whereas the primary supply of water provide is manually pumped into the irrigation containers.”

“Is that so?” What else was I presupposed to say anyway? Perhaps a thanks for being such an informative token?

I wasn’t precisely ignorant when it got here to issues like this. I knew the perform of some supplies right here.

The vertical farm was arrange in a room with glass partitions, so the vegetation may nonetheless obtain pure gentle. Mirrors have been put in in sure areas to replicate gentle onto the vegetation from all instructions.

A wire grid was additionally used to redirect progress horizontally, stopping vegetation from rising too broad and shading their neighbors. This additionally helped with the stimulation of the expansion of latest buds.

I assume vegetation in right here have been extra on spices and out-of-season crops.

There was additionally a air flow pipe that shot by way of the roof, which was required to regulate humidity ranges. That being stated, vegetation did not like sudden modifications in temperature, so a air flow system was a should.

<Is Host, a farmer in his final life?>

No. I’ve my very own vegetation at residence. However due to the restricted area, I needed to plant them vertically utilizing hydroponics. The one distinction was that every thing was easy, and know-how was accessible.

On this world, nevertheless, Daedalus had to consider various supplies and strategies to assemble such issues.

We nonetheless had about two weeks earlier than the Blood Rain arrived.

Surrounding my homes have been readily accessible livestock and meals. On the precise was the vegetable farm, and on the left was the greenhouse. Placing the final path of the wind into consideration, the animal barn and dirt pits have been located within the north, blowing the scent away from my home.

The cattle, goats, and chickens I purchased have been all fortunately consuming outdoors whereas the pigs have been having fun with their mud tub.

“The wool of the goats can be thicker and of higher high quality, and their milk yield can be larger in the event you deal with the goats’ pores and skin with a soda answer no less than as soon as per week. They’re going to forestall parasites from nesting within the wool,” stated Athena when she observed the place I used to be staring.

“Does Ulysses know make soda?” I requested in eagerness. I immediately need one with all this warmth.

Athena shook her head. “We want a soda machine for that. He may, nevertheless, make another combination akin to orange, lemon, and lime.”

“Do the orchards have them?”

“Sure.”

“That is excellent news.” I scratched my head and went alongside together with her lead.

As we went over the properties, Athena defined issues to me, emphasizing the animals’ welfare. She should like them loads. Extra so than people.

“To make sure a gentle provide of eggs, complement your chickens’ food plan with salt and chalk. In addition they make the eggshell denser. Bitter milk and herbs additionally make a superb really feel for laying hens.”

“Athena . . .” I needed to cease her as a result of livestock wasn’t our solely precedence. “Is there a method to protect meals with out utilizing a ref?”

Athena stared into my eyes, and I regarded away.

I scratched my nostril and stated, “I used to be questioning if I may protect the meat I acquired from the beasts I killed. They often solely keep recent in my stock for a day, and after that, it turns into rotten meat.”

“Molten Salt may be thought of an environment friendly method of storing thermal vitality,” she began, and I listened intently regardless that I would not be capable of perceive half of what she would say.

“It may be used to retailer warmth vitality quickly. Many microbes die in a ten% salt answer which makes salt a wonderful preservative. You should utilize it to retailer fish, meat, and greens for lengthy durations. Something may be salted and pickled — from plant roots to mammoth carcasses.

“We have already harnessed a bag of salt from the ocean. We’ve a mini salt pan there. It isn’t a lot to construct a Salt Cave, so we will ask Daedalus to construct a mini salt collapse your own home. You should utilize it quickly to retailer some meals.”

That is excellent news. “Good thought. I want to start out preserving uncooked meats and fruits as properly.”

“We are able to additionally strive drying and smoking,” Athena prompt.