Agricultural cycle#

This section describes the stages of the farming cycle in Golden Clone. Actions are performed in order to advance to the next stage. Some are mandatory, others are optional.

Fertilizer#

Maximizing yield is achieved by improving soil fertility. Fertilizing is optional, but it increases yield. Two methods are available: manual fertilization and peacock grazing. These methods can be used separately or together, and their effects are cumulative. The order of application is not important. Fertilizer can be produced from manure in the * “Manure and Fertilizers” section, or purchased at the market. Manual application of 100% fertilizer takes 120 hours, with proportionally fewer hours applied. Peacock grazing lasts 48 hours. Application is only possible before sowing; irrigated fields are fertilized first, then the remaining fields. A clone expends 1 stamina per day for manual fertilization; grazing does not require stamina. Releasing a clone converts the plot to “black fallow,” and the applied fertilizer is lost. Livestock fertilizer is applied once per cycle, but peacock grazing can be used every season.

Table. The required amount of fertilizer for 100% treatment of the area

Table. The effect of fertilizers on crop yields

Peacocks#

Peacocks can be released into the field once per season; they feed on forage, destroy pests, and fertilize the soil. Grazing lasts 48 hours, and the effect is cumulative with fertilizer. Peacocks of different breeds can be released into the field, with a total cost of ≤ 7 gold. While grazing, peacocks continue to lay eggs; the risk of dragon theft depends on the breed:

Table. The probability of peacock kidnapping

Servants#

During the fertilizing, sowing, and harvesting stages, you can hire servants (roaming clones). Each servant speeds up one plot by 10%, up to the house level. Tasks are paid for from the house owner’s fund; the cost of one task is ≥ 0.0001 gold. A servant completes one task per hour; the house level determines the number of tasks that can be completed simultaneously. The processing time with n servants is calculated as follows:

T = Tb / (1 + 0.1n), where Tb is the base time, n is the number of servants.

Table. An example of speeding up processes with one servant

Sowing#

Sowing takes 48 hours; seeds are purchased from a state farm. One bag per plot. The time can be shortened by using servants; the work requires one stamina per day. Releasing a clone is called “black fallow.”

Table. Seeds cost

Growth and maturation#

Lasts 360 hours, speed can be increased by miracles, irrigation systems, and the Energy System. Cannot be shortened by servants, and the work does not require stamina.

Harvesting#

Lasts 72 hours and can be sped up by servants. The work requires one stamina per day. Failure to pay the tax does not result in a loss of harvest; releasing a clone—“black fallow”—leads to the loss of seeds and fertilizer.

Table. Agricultural tax

Black fallow#

Lasts 360 hours, protects the soil. Can be reduced by wonders, megaliths, and elixirs. The “Living Earth” elixir reduces the duration by 1 day, up to 5 times per plot. Use on all plots with “black fallow” in rotation.

How to shorten the stages of farming#

Fermentation stage#

• Manual application of fertilizers can be reduced by using servants (each servant speeds up the plot by 10%).
• Peacock grazing cannot be reduced.

Sowing stage#

• Can be shortened by servants (each servant speeds up the area by 10%).
• There is no additional acceleration directly from buildings.

The stage of growth and ripening of the crop#

• You can’t cut down on servants.

• Acceleration is possible due to bonuses from buildings and wonders:

  • “Great Ear” (Principality/Megapolis) - -5% maturation time, stacks up to 10% when two buildings are present.
  • “Aqueduct” - -5% maturation time.
  • Irrigation system in the field - -10% ripening time.
  • “Energy System” in the Principality - -10% maturation time.
  • “Power System” in the settlement - -5% maturation time.
  • “Artificial Intelligence” - -5% maturation time.

• The effect of all methods is cumulative.

Harvest stage#

• Can be shortened by servants (each servant speeds up the area by 10%).

Black steam stage#

• The duration can be reduced by building bonuses and elixirs:

  • “Giant Sunflower” - -3 days.
  • “Queen of the Night” - -2 days.
  • “Aqueduct” (principality) - 2 days.
  • “Giant Engine” - -3 days.
  • “Artificial Intelligence” - -3 days.
  • “Great Warrior Complex” - -1 day.
  • Elixir “Living Earth” - -1 day for use, maximum 5 times per plot.

• The effect of all methods is cumulative.