1 98 Miscellanies. 



from the height at which sugar is cultivated above the level of the 

 present surface, that the greatest depth in the rainy season does not 

 exceed 10 feet. Being entirely fed by mountain torrents, its rise 

 must be often very sudden, but I did not observe any traces of de- 

 vastation in its course. Its name, Nganke, or ' peaceful stream,' is 

 probably derived from this circumstance : the valley on each side 

 seemed well cultivated, the banks being principally occupied by su- 

 gar cane. At every village the people poured out as usual to see 

 us, vying with each other in marks of civility and kindness. The 

 day, however, becoming very hot, we took shelter from the sun un- 

 der the roof of the boat, to the disappointment of many who waded 

 into the water to gratify themselves with a sight of the strangers. 

 Coming at last to a high bank close to a populous town, they actu- 

 ally offered the boatman 400 cash if he would bring us to ; and on 

 his refusal, the boys began pelting the boat with clods and stones. 

 On this, Mr. Gutzlaff went on deck to remonstrate, and Mr. Ryder 

 to intimidate with his gun. Betwixt both, the effect was instantane- 

 ous, and the seniors of the crowd apologized for the rude manner in 

 which the boys had attempted to enforce the gratification of their cu- 

 riosity. We had been in vain looking out all yesterday and to-day 

 for a glimpse of tea plantations on some of the rugged and black 

 looking hills close in view, though at almost every place where we 

 halted, we were assured that such were to be found hard by." 



" Arrived at Toa-be, we vi-ere hospitably received by the family 

 of our guide, and soon surrounded by wondering visitors. 



" Mr. Gutzlaff speedily selected one or two of the most intelligent 

 of them, and obtained from them ready answers to a variety of ques- 

 tions regarding the cultivation of the tea plant. They informed him 

 that the seed now used for propagating the plant was all produced 

 on the spot, though the original stock of this part of the country was 

 brought from Woo-t-shan; that it ripened in the 10th or llth month, 

 and was immediately put into the ground where it was intended to 

 grow, several being put together into one hole, as the greater part 

 w^as always abortive ; that the sprouts appeared in the 3d month af- 

 ter the seeds were put into the ground ; that the hole into which the 

 seeds are thrown is from three to four inches deep, and as the plants 

 grow, the earth is gathered up a little around the root ; that leaves 

 are taken from the plants when they are three years old, and that 

 there are from most plants four pluckings in the year. No manure 

 is used, nor is goodness of soil considered of consequence j neither 



