ASIA: CHINA. 383 



of the wheel is a bamboo tube, closed at one end and open at the other. As each 

 of these descends, its open end catches up the water, out of which it emerges only 

 when the position of the tubes is such that the water can not flow out. Of course, 

 this position is reversed when the wheel has completed half a revolution, so that 

 the water is poured from each tube as soon as it reaches the upper circumference 

 of the wheel. But a bamboo channel is erected on a framework so as to catch this 

 flow, and two other bamboo tubes or lengths of tube communicate at right angles 

 with the two ends of this channel, and, slightly declining, carry the water to the 

 fields above. 



Of fuels, there are coal, charcoal, and wood. The only means of 

 transportation is carnage by men, which is both slow and expensive. 



The materials for making paper, such as bamboo, rags, and a 

 tree called the "ken shu," are plentiful; bamboo selling at 300 cash 

 the picul (14 cents per 133^ pounds) and rags at 5,000 cash the 

 picul ($2.25 per 133^ pounds). The workmen employed at the fac- 

 tories are paid from 100 to 180 cash (4.5 to 8. i cents) a day, including 

 their board. The paper is handmade, and the process and methods 

 of manufacture are those of long standing. 



Regarding imports and exports of paper, none is imported into 

 this city and district from foreign countries, with the exception of 

 what is consumed by the few foreigners residing in the district. 

 There are no exports of paper. 



GEO. F. SMITHERS, 



CHUNGKING, February 7, 1899. Consul. 



HANKAU. 



PRODUCTION. 



In reply to Department circular, I would say that there are no 

 data available for a proper report. I have found no one able to give 

 me reliable information outside of his special line. The trade is much 

 divided. The Chinese are wary of giving information regarding 

 their business. There are thousands of so-called paper mills in this 

 district, but they are small affairs a mere hut or shed of a few feet 

 in diameter, usually situated in the mountains or hills where there 

 is a stream of water that can be used in the manufacture of paper. 

 Each mill generally employs three men. The Chinese use and manu- 

 facture only unsized paper. Their best product is sent to Pekin. 

 They print and write only on one side of a sheet. The ink they use 

 is made of lampblack, with a little glue added and mixed with water 

 to give it body. This ink is rapidly absorbed on unsized paper. On 

 sized paper, it absorbs slowly and is liable to blot. 



