VARNISH TREE. 97 
The bark and leaves of the tsi-chu resemble those 
of the ash; and the trunk (which, when full grown, 
is about two feet in circumference,) seldom exceeds 
twelve or thirteen feet in height. The method 
which the Chinese take to propagate this tree, and 
the manner in which they afterwards collect their 
varnish from it, is so well told by the abbe Grosier, 
that we shall beg leave to avail ourselves of his de- 
scription. 
“ In spring,” says Grosier, u they (the Chinese) 
choose a vigorous shoot, about a foot in length, 
which proceeds immediately from the trunk ; and 
coat over the lower part, by which it adheres to the 
tree, with a kind of yellow earth, at least three 
inches in thickness. This coat is carefully covered 
with a mat, to defend it from rain and the injuries 
of the air. Towards the autumnal equinox, they 
detach a little of the earth, to observe in what com 
dition the small roots are, which begin to spring 
forth from the shoot. If they find that the filaments 
which compose them are of a reddish colour, they 
judge it is time to make an amputation ; but they 
defer it if the roots are white, because this colour 
shows that they are yet too tender. They then close 
up the coat again and wait till the spring following. 
When the shoot is separated from the trunk of the 
tree, it is put into the earth ; but, in whatever sea- 
son it is planted, whether in spring or autumn, 
great care must be taken to put plenty of cinders 
into the hole prepared for it ; without this precau- 
tion the ant would destroy the yet tender roots, or, 
VOL. III. 
H 
