PAPER 



THE AGRICULTURE OE CHINA 



BY G. R. WEST. 



The Chinese are "behind the age in the science of mechanics and 'machinery. But, consider- 

 ing they possess no theoretical rules for guidance in the construction of machinery, in the appli- 

 cation of the mechanical powers, surprising ingenuity is displayed, and efficiency attained by 

 them. All machinery employed by them for the accomplishment of various ends is exceed- 

 ingly simple, and stamped with the impress of primitiveness. 



In these rude contrivances (which have probably existed with the Chinese for thousands of 

 years) are involved important principles in machinery, and in them may he recognised, by the 

 theoretical mechanic, the types of many practically useful machines now in common use in 

 western countries. 



The Chinese operations in agriculture, as in the arts and manufactures, are upon a very 

 limited scale. This accounts, in one particular, for their continued use of rude machinery, and 

 pertinacious opposition to all foreign innovations. Under this limited plan of operations, their 

 rude implements are more serviceable to them than would be the improved machinery of western 

 nations. 



For example, the plough is used by them for breaking up alluvial ground for rice cultiva- 

 tion, and it is not necessary that it should run very deep or possess much power. For breaking 

 up hard ground, a peculiar hoe is used. The plough has but one helve or handle, but in other 

 respects is the same in principle as that in use with us. It is provided with a metal share 

 and an adjustable mould-board. (See figure 5, plate 1.) 



The ploughing is conducted while the fields are flooded ; the water-ox, the beast of burden in 

 the south of China, draws the plough, reveling in the slush, followed by the cheerful farmer 

 wading knee-deep in mud and water behind. 



The plough is followed by a harrow with a series of iron blades arranged longitudinally with 

 the frame, so as to divide the tenacious clods of alluvial earth. (See fig. 7, plate 1.) The tooth- 

 harrow is then used. Of these there are two kinds; one, with a horizontal frame with short 

 and strong teeth. The buffalo is yoked to this, and while in use it is pressed down by human 

 or other weight, to increase its effect upon the ground. Figure 6, plate 1, represents a smaller 

 one with a series of long teeth placed at an angle of 60° or 70° from a single beam provided 

 with handles for conducting and pressing it in the earth. This is generally worked by man- 

 power. There is also another harrow with short teeth projecting from a V-shaped log frame, that 

 is pushed by hand. (See fig. 10.) 



