292 SOIL OF THE HILLS. (Cuap. XVI. 
doubt that, as a nation, they surpass the natives of 
India and other half-civilised states in this art, as 
they do in most other peaceful accomplishments ; 
but it is ridiculous, now at least, to compare them 
for a moment with our intelligent farmers in Eng- 
land or Scotland. As well might we compare 
their coasting junks with the navy of England, or 
their merchants with ours, whose ships are met with 
on every sea, and whose commercial operations ex- 
tend to every quarter of the world. In order, 
however, that the reader may form an opinion for 
himself, I will describe in detail what passed under 
my own eye connected with this subject, during 
my travels of nearly three years in the country. 
In that space of time I had an opportunity of see- 
ing repeatedly the various methods of cultivation 
and their results, both in the north and in the 
south; all of which were carefully noted in my 
journal at the time. 
I will begin with the southern provinces. These 
are, of course, tropical, and differ from those in the 
north in many respects, both with regard to soil 
and the nature of the plants cultivated. 
The soil of the mountains in the south of China is 
of the poorest description. Rocks of granite are 
seen every where protruding themselves above the 
scanty vegetation, whilst the soil itself is composed 
of dry burnt clay mixed with particles of granite 
in a decaying or disintegrated state. This soil 
naturally so poor, is kept so by the practice of 
periodically cutting and carrying off the long grass 
