240 
WANDERINGS IN CHINA. 
Chap. XIV. 
This manure is useful mechanically as well as chemically 
in a stiff soil, like that of the low lands of China, where 
the seeds are apt to be injured in the process of germi- 
nation. The young crop thus planted acquires a vigour 
in its first growth which enables it to assimilate the 
matter which forms the strong stiff soil, and to strike its 
roots firmly into it. 
What is commonly known by the name of oil-cake 
is broken up and used in the same manner as the vege- 
table earth, and is also scattered broadcast over the land. 
The oil-cake is the remains or refuse of the seeds of 
several different plants, such as the tallow-tree, various 
kinds of beans, and the cabbage formerly mentioned. 
There is a great demand for this manure in all parts of 
the country, and it forms a very considerable branch of 
trade both by sea and land. Bones, shells, old lime, 
soot, ashes, hair, and all kinds of rubbish, are also 
eagerly bought up by the farmer for the purpose of 
manure. 
In the Fatee gardens near Canton the proprietors 
have a curious kind of rich mud, which they 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 Nehim- 
bium 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 England in plant-cases 
from Canton. 
For crops in a vigorous growing state no kind of 
* A Chinese pecul is equal to 133i lbs. 
