Chap. IX. 



CHU-CHU-FOO. 



3 77 



the boat-people. I also observed large quantities of 

 buckwheat, Indian corn, millet, and soy growing in 

 the fields. A species of berberis, apparently a variety 

 of our English one, was cultivated rather extensively, 

 but for what purpose I could not learn, probably for 

 medicine or as a dye. 



Above Long-yeou the river became in many places 

 narrow and very rapid. Several old water-wheels 

 were observed half sanded up and completely useless. 

 Trees and bushes dipped their branches into the 

 stream, and reminded me of the country rivers in 

 England. We passed a great number of small vil- 

 lages, but saw no place of any size or importance 

 until we reached Chu-chu-foo, a large city 90 le west 

 from Long-yeou and 180 from Nan-che. 



Soon after daylight on the 1st of June two pa- 

 godas came in sight, and indicated, as they always 

 do, our near approach to some important town. 

 This was Chu-chu-foo, which was then only three or 

 four miles distant. As we approached nearer to it, 

 groves of orange-trees became common. The tea- 

 plant was also extensively cultivated, but the produce 

 js not considered first-rate. Earth-nuts (Arachis 

 hypogced) and soy are plentiful, both of these crops 

 delighting in a light sandy soil. A great number of 

 low hills are seen in the midst of the plain. Th 

 soil of these hills or hillocks is generally perfectly 

 barren, and of a brick-red — the colour of the calcae 

 reous sandstone of the district. The Chinese do not- 

 make many attempts to cultivate them. 



At Chu-chu-foo there is a pretty bridge of boats, 



N 



