K. This is the 1st working draft of vol. VI. It still ... - From Marx to Mao

330 MAO TSE-TUNG
where preparation is completed early, can carry it out on a trial basis
in 1943.
Reduction of rent and of interest rates, an increase in opening
up new lands, popularizing the planting of cotton, not violating agricultural
seasons, better adjustment in the use of labour power, an
increase in agricultural credit, improvements of agricultural techniques,
and preparation for implementing a progressive tax — these
eight items are the effective agricultural policies which we can and
meat carry out in 1943. With the exception of the progressive tax
for which we can make preparations and which can be tried out in a
few counties, the other seven items should be implemented immediately.
Many of them should commence during the winter of 1942.
FROM MARX
TO MAO
Otherwise the time will be lost and they will become empty words.
⋆
The above is a summary of our work as regards agriculture in
the private sector and our strategy for 1943. What follows is a discussion
of closely related agricultural subsidiary undertakings such
as animal husbandry and handicrafts.
3. ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY
NOT FOR
COMMERCIAL
The three major subsidiary undertakings of the peasants of the
Boarder Region are animal husbandry, salt transport. and textiles.
It is well known that the breeding of cows and donkeys plays a decisive
role in agriculture and salt transport. The breeding of sheep
is closely related to the supply of bedding and clothing. Last year
the peasants of the Border Region harvested more than 1 million jin
of wool. Including sheep exported the estimated value was more
than 20 million yuan which is proof of the importance of sheep. The
greatest enemies DISTRIBUTION
of livestock are the many diseases and the lack of
fodder. If we do not solve these two problems, there can be no development.
In the first place the destructive power of disease is
very great. For example, in the Spring of 1941, more than 20,000
sheep died in an epidemic in Jingbian. In 1942, more than 16,000
died at the same cause in Dingbian. In the summer of 1941, more
than 500 cows died of cattle plague in Yanan. In the summer and
autumn of 1942, 574 cows died in Zhidan. This shows how disease
is the great enemy of the livestock of the Border Region. Secondly,
the lack of fodder also greatly hinders the raising of livestock. In
the spring of 1941, when 20,000 sheep died in Jingbian, most of the