Cuar. XVI] NIGHT SOIL AND URINE. 511 
cut up into small square bits, and sell at a very 
high price for the growing of plants in pots. This 
is obtained chiefly from the ponds and lakes in the 
vicinity, where the Nelumbium speciosum grows. 
This soil is so much esteemed, that the price for 
the best kind is 1 dollar for 3 peculs*, and for the 
second 1 dollar for 4 peculs. The inferior sort has 
been frequently sent to Highnd in plant cases 
from Canton. 
For crops in a vigorous growing state no kind of 
manure is so eagerly sought after as night soil, and 
every traveller in China has remarked the large 
cisterns or earthen tubs which are placed in the 
most conspicuous and convenient situation for the 
reception of this kind of manure. What would be 
considered an intolerable nuisance in every civilised 
town in Europe, is here looked upon by all classes, 
rich and poor, with the utmost complacency ; and I 
am convinced that nothing would astonish a China- 
man more, than hearing any one complain of the 
stench which is continually rising from these manure 
tanks. Almost every Chinese town is placed on the 
banks of a river or canal, and the water is generally 
led not only round the walls, thus forming a kind of 
moat, but also through many parts of the city. Long 
clumsy boats are placed in different departments of 
the town, into which the night soil and urine are 
emptied and conveyed from thence into the country, 
The fields in the neighbourhood of cities are gene- 
rally supplied with it by coolies, who go every 
* A Chinese pecul is equal to 133} Ibs. 
x 4 
