AGRICULTURE OF CHINA. 1 07 



assumed, par excellence, the name of the place — Shanghais. Among these are mongrels of 

 every degree. The hest are well-proportioned, i.e., have large bodies with short legs and 

 necks, and are of solid or uniform colors, as white or grey, buff or yellow, and red, which show 

 they are well-bred and of good strains. But better fowls, and more highly improved, may be 

 found now in England or the United States, just as better merino sheep may be had in France, 

 or Saxony, or in America, than in Spain. Nor need this breed be greatly desired, if judged by 

 the flesh obtained at Shanghai. It was coarse in grain and insipid in flavor; this, however, 

 may have arisen from the kind of food upon which it was reared. 



In this neighborhood there is a hoe in general use, which consists of three or four prongs or 

 teeth, instead of a solid blade — similar, indeed, to our dung-hoe. Its effects are the same as 

 those of forking by our modern gardeners. 



One or two general observations will conclude these brief notices. 



It may be inferred, from what is written, that I do not entertain the exalted opinion of the 

 skill and perfection of the agriculture of China that generally prevails. But it is obvious that 

 enormous quantities of food must be produced to subsist her teeming population. How can this 

 be effected without science and industry, knowledge and skill? Four means will answer this 

 question: 1st. A climate remarkably favorable to vegetation, from its great heat in summer. 

 2d. The almost universal practice of irrigation, which, from the natural condition of the coun- 

 try, can be done with far less labor and to a far greater extent than is readily imagined. 3d. 

 The great and general use of strongly ammoniacal manures, a knowledge of whose efficacy was 

 attained by experience. 4th. The application of these manures to the germinating or growing 

 plant — a skill acquired from routine practice. By these four great motive .powers, immense re- 

 sults may be obtained without science or great industry, with not much labor, little skill, and 

 less knowledge. And such appear to be the facts in China. 



I had designed making some remarks upon the nutritive qualities of rice and vegetation thus 

 forced ; but, without entering into arguments or details as to their carbonaceous and aqueous 

 conditions, the following extract upon "Excess in Irrigation," taken from a note-book, will 

 sufficiently indicate my impression upon this subject, viz : 



' ' In Valencia 

 Flesh is grass, 

 Grass is water, 

 Men are women, 

 Women nothing." 



Respectfully submitted, 



DAN'L S. GREEN. 



