FOR NINE MONTHS OF THE YEARS 1850-51. 



61 



Obs. — A considerable change for the better has taken place in the 

 weather of the past week, and with it the surfice of the country has in 

 many places undergone a complete metamorphosis. In numerous fields 

 the crop of beans has been ruthlessly pulled up by the roots and either 

 dug or ploughed into the ground for manure, grown apparently for no 

 other purpose. Those fields intended for the future growth of paddy 

 have been irrigated by the numerous chain pump machines in the con- 

 struction of wliich the Chinese display so much ingeimity. During the 

 last few days the peasants have been busy in treading with their feet and 

 by means ol' buffaloes the irrigated fields, and in one or two parts have 

 sown that portion of the grain intended for subsequent transplantation. 

 Although yesterday the thermometer placed in the sun indicated a 

 temperature of 110'^, the average of the whole week has been less than 

 that of the corresponding week last year by 9-9°; the average being 

 61-4° during the past Aveek, and 71-3° in 1850. 



