389 FLORA OF FOO-CHOW-FOO. [Cuar. XX. 
the more common Pinus sinensis are almost the only 
trees of any size which grow in this mountainous 
district. The natives amongst these hills were 
much surprised at the sight of a foreigner, and 
came crowding from all quarters to see me; they 
were, however, much more civil and respectful 
than their countrymen in the lowlands and at 
Foo-chow-foo. 
On my return from this excursion, I devoted 
most of my time to the examination of nurseries 
in the vicinity of the city. They contained some 
interesting plants. The celebrated Fingered-Citron, 
so common in the shops throughout China, seems 
to be cultivated in great perfection in this part of 
the country; in fact, it appears to be its natural 
locality. The district round Foo-chow-foo seems 
to be the great Camellia garden of China, and in 
no other part of the country did I ever see these 
plants in such perfect health, or so beautifully 
cultivated. The Jxoras and Hydrangeas are also 
particularly well grown and handsome, the latter 
invariably producing flowers of the deepest blue, 
much deeper than I have ever seen them in 
England. They are grown in a fine rich loam, 
which contains some chemical ingredient, and which 
is the cause of their deep colour. 
Here, as well as further north, the farmer grows 
crops of wheat and green vegetables during the 
winter months. A great part of the low country, 
at least all that is capable of being flooded, is 
cultivated with rice during the summer and 
