74 



TEA DISTKICTS OF CHINA. 



Chap. IV. 



vated to their summits. Crops of millet and Indian 

 com were growing amongst the tea-bushes, which were 

 now observed in large quantities on the sides of the 

 hills. The corn and millet, growing up in the hot 

 months of summer and autumn, seemed to afford a 

 partial shade to the tea, which was probably beneficial 

 to it. Another reason for the practice may be found 

 in the fondness of the Chinese for mixing crops — 

 a practice in operation all over the country. I never 

 saw finer crops of millet and Indian corn than those 

 which were growing on these hills. The crops were 

 just ripening (November 2nd), and the Chinese had 

 begun to harvest them. 



This part of the country was exceedingly beautiful 

 and full of interest. Many of the less fertile hills 

 were clothed with junipers and pines, whilst on others 

 the patches of ripening corn afforded a striking con- 

 trast to the dark-green leaves of the tea-bushes with 

 which they were dotted. I had now the pleasure of 

 seeing many groups of the beautiful " funereal 

 cypress ;" it was growing on the sides of the hills, 

 generally near villages or amongst the graves. Every- 

 where it was beautiful, and produced a striking effect 

 in the appearance of the landscape. 



In walking over the country I always, when pos- 

 sible, avoided entering large towns. About this 

 time, however, all the passengers were obliged to get 

 out of the boat, in order to lighten it, and allow it to 

 be drawn up one of the shallow rapids. We all walked 

 on together, and in a short time came to a town of 

 considerable size. It happened that the day we 



