158 



HISTORY OF AGRICULTURE. 



Part I, 



which has been followed, with little variation, from a very high antiquity, they seem to 

 be entirely ignorant of all the principles by which it could have been placed on a scientific 

 foundation." (Hort. Trans. V. 49.J 



955. The climate of China is in general reckoned moderate, though it extends from 

 the 50th to the 21st degree of south latitude, and includes three climates. The northern 

 parts are liable to all the rigors of an European winter. Even at Pekin, at that season, 

 the average of the thermometer is under 20 during the night, and in the day consi- 

 derably below the freezing point. The heat of those parts which lie under the tropics 

 is moderated by the winds from the mountains of Tatary. In the southern parts there 

 is neither frost nor snow, but they are very subject to storms, especially about the time 

 of the equinoxes ; all the rest of the year the sky is serene, and the earth covered with 

 verdure. 



956. The surface of the country, though in general flat, is much diversified by chains of 

 granite mountains, hills, rivers, canals, and savage and uncultivated districts, towns 

 innumerable, villages, and cottages covered with thatch, reed, or palm leaves, and in 

 some places with their gardens, or forecourts, fenced with rude pales, as in England. 

 {Jig. 151.) China, Dr. Abel observes, from the great extent of latitude contained in its 



boundaries, and from its extensive plains and lofty mountains, partakes of the advan- 

 tages and defects of many climates, and displays a country of features infinitely varied 

 by nature. Every thing artificial, however, has nearly the same characters in every 

 province. 



957. The soil varies exceedingly : it is in many parts not naturally fertile ; but has 

 almost every where been rendered so by the application of culture and manure for suc- 

 cessive ages. 



958. The landed property of China is considered as the absolute right of the emperor : 

 but the sub-proprietor, or first holder, is never turned out of possession as long as he 

 continues to pay about the tenth part of what his farm is supposed capable of yielding. 

 And, though the holder of lands is only considered as a tenant at will, it is his own 

 fault if he is dispossessed. If any one happens to hold more than his family can con- 

 veniently cultivate, he lets it to another, on condition of receiving half the produce, out 

 of which he pays the whole of the emperor's taxes. The greater part of the poor pea- 

 santry cultivate land on these terms. In China there are no immense estates, no mono- 

 polizing farmers, nor dealers in grain. Every one can bring his produce to a free 

 and open market ; no fisheries are here let out to farm. Every subject is equally 

 intitled to the free and uninterrupted enjoyment of the sea, of the coasts, of the es- 

 tuaries, of the lakes and rivers. There are no manor lords with exclusive privileges, 

 nor any game laws. 



959. The agricultural jrroducts of China extend to every useful vegetable. There 

 is scarcely a grain, a fruit, a tree, or a culinary vegetable of Europe, or the rest of the 

 world, that they do not cultivate ; and they have a number peculiar to themselves. 

 Fowl and fish are not extensively reared, as the chief articles of diet are vegetables ; 

 and they are ignorant of the use of milk, butter, or cheese. Rice is the common grain of 

 the country ; a species of cabbage, the universal culinary vegetable ; swine, the most 

 abundant live stock ; and tea, the chief plant of export. 



960. The tea districts of China extend from the 27th to the 31st degree of latitude. 



