564 FOURTH BULLETIN OF [1846. 



value or beauty, as the European manufacture is at present far superior, and even 

 the foreign residents send to Europe for their ware. China ware is sold in sets, 

 consisting of a table set of two liundvd and seventy pieces, at from twelve to 

 seventy-live dollars; a breakfast set of twenty pieces at three dollars, and a 

 short tea set of forty-six pieces, at from five to six dollars. They manufacture ar- 

 ticles to any pattern given. 



Cudbear. — This is a powder used in dyeing violet or crimson. It is procured 

 from the lichin tartareous, a plant found in Iceland. Its colors are not durable 

 when employed alone, and it is therefore used as a body to other more expensive dye.*;, 

 as indigo, cochineal, &c., making them more lively. It is used by the Chinese 

 but little, and the demand is small. 



Preserves. — Large quantities of preserved sweetmeats are exported from Canton, 

 the principal of which is ginger, being the tender roots and tops of that plant. 

 Also small oranges, and also another kind which is called " chow-chow," which 

 is a mixture of citron, sea weeds, ginger, &.o. These are neatly put up in delf- 

 ware jars of about half a gallon each, and sell for about six dollars the dozen. 

 Considerable quantities arc earned to Hamburgh and Singapore, previous to being 

 shipped to the United States and Europe. 



Brass-leaf. — This is made in considerable quantities in China for the Indian 

 markets. It is worth from forty-five to fifty dollars a box. 



India-ink. — This is the only ink used by the Chinese. It is made of lampblack 

 and glue, and formed into cakes and sticks, which are often perfumed and gilded. 

 Good ink is of asiiining black color and free from all grittiness, which last particu- 

 lar can be ascertained by rubbing it on the nail a little wet. It was once supposed 

 to be made of the black fluid of the cuttle-fish. 



Lacquered-%vare. — Formerly this ware was exported in large quantities to Eu- 

 rope and the United States, but at present the demand is small, owing to the great 

 liability to be damaged. The articles now sent to the United States aud Europe 

 consist of those articles which have always been in demand, as fans, waiters, boxes, 

 tea boards, &,c. The patterns affect tlieir sale, and the least mark spoils iho 

 varnish. Tiie best kind of ware comes from Japan. The varnish with which this 

 kind of ware is covered has never been successfully imitated in Europe, probably 

 because the varnish tree does not grow in the west. 



Mats. — Mats are made by the Chinese very beautifully. Those made of ratan 

 are the best, and the demand is yearly increasing. They are very durable and 

 handsome. Those made of rush and bamboo are inferior. 



Soy. — This is a condiment made of a species of bean which grows in China and 

 Japan. To make it the beans are boiled soft, and then an equal quantity of wheat 

 or barley is added ; after this has thoroughly fermented, a quantity of salt and three 

 times as much water as the beans were at first are added. The whole compound 

 is now left for two or three months and then pressed and strained . Good soy has 

 an agreeable taste, and if shaken in a tumbler lines the vessel with a lively yellow 

 brown froth. The color of soy in the vessel is nearly black ; it improves much by 

 age. The soybean forms the national dish of Japan. Soy is beginning to be 

 exported in considerable quantities to Europe and the United States. The price in 

 Canton is twenty-live cents per bottle. I have procured Seed for an experimental 

 trial in the United States. 



Sugar. — This article is made by the Chinese in sufficient quantities to supply 

 themselves and to export. They have several varieties of cane, but many have a 

 reddish juice, which injures the sale of the sugar. The kind cultivated is the same 

 as that of the West Indies. Tlio process of manufacturing is simple and laborious. 

 Their machinery is coarse, and the |)ower human strength. They do not appear 

 to understand refining, but crystallize it, and in that state send largo quantities to 

 India, where it is much esteemed. ."Much is pulverized in mortars, when it forms a 

 white sugar. 



Thread. — Gold and silver thread is imported into China from England and Hol- 

 land. It is used in borders of fine goods, in ornamenting ladies' dresses and other 

 similar objects. The quantity imported is groat. The English sells for from 

 thirty-six to forty dollars poi pccul. 



Cloves. — Considerable quantities of this spice are imported into China. The 

 price for Molucca cloves is from twonty-eight to thirty dollars a pccul, and for those 



