CUTTING HAY FOR STOCK.-AMERICAN FRESH MEATS IN ENGLAND. 
363 
scarcely rich enough ; and although the shrub grows 
pretty well, it is far froth being so luxuriant as it is 
in the larger tea districts on the main land. The 
forests of different varieties of bamboo are very 
striking, and give a kind of tropical character to 
the Chusan scenery. I do not know anything 
more beautiful than the yellow bamboo with its 
clean and straight stem, and graceful top and 
branches waving in the breeze; it always reminded 
me of our young larch forests at home. The fir 
tree, found in the south, is also common in this part 
of China. It seems to be an exception to a general 
rule, being met with all over the country, and in 
every degree of latitude. Here the Cunninghamia 
sinensis, another of the pine tribe, is also found in 
abundance. It is more rare in the south. Besides 
these there are several species of cypress and juni¬ 
per, which are always found growing around the 
tombs of the wealthy, which are scattered over the 
valley and hill-sides. 
I have already mentioned the clumps of cypress 
and pine-trees planted in the cemeteries of the rich, 
"which are seen studded all over the country, and 
form one of its most striking features. Among 
these, I met far the first time with the beautiful 
Cryptomeria japonica, a species of pine not unlike 
the Arauccurias of Norfolk Island and Brazil. 
When growing luxuriantly, it is highly ornamental, 
rising from- the ground as straight as a larch, and 
sending out numerous side branches almost horizon¬ 
tally from the main stem, which again droop towards 
the ground in a graceful and “ weeping ” manner. 
The wood of the tree has a kind of twisted grain, 
and possesses great strength and durability. 
A great number of the common fruit-trees of the 
country grow all over the plains and near the side 
of Canton River. The mango, guava, wangpee 
(Cookia punctata), leechee, longan, oranges, and 
pumeloes, are the principal kinds. Besides these, 
there are the cypress, thuja, banyan, and other kinds 
of fig-trees, and a species of pine, called by the 
Chinese the water-pine, from its always growing by 
the sides of’the rivers and canals. The bamboo, 
and a sort of weeping willow very much like our 
own, are also frequently met with. The name 
which the Chinese give to the latter is the “ sigh¬ 
ing” willow, coinciding rather curiously with our 
own term of “ weeping,” and when taken in con¬ 
nexion with the historical fact of the Jews weeping 
by the streams"of Babylon, and hanging their harps 
upon the willows, shows that this is regarded as the 
emblem of sorrow as universally as the dark and 
sombre pine and cypress are considered in all coun¬ 
tries fit companions to the cemetery and church¬ 
yard. 
The only tree which I met with of very large size 
in the district of Shanghae, was the Salisburia adi- 
antifolia, commonly called the Maiden-hair tree, 
from the resemblance its leaves bear to a fern of 
that name. This is one of the plants which the 
Chinese are fond of dwarfing, and it is consequently 
often seen in that state in their gardens. Its fruit 
is sold in the markets in all Chinese towns by the 
name of “ Pa-Kwo ,” and is not unlike dried almonds, 
only whiter, fuller, and more round. The natives 
seem very fond of it, although it is rarely eaten by 
Europeans. 
The principal shrubs growing in the Fa-tee Gar¬ 
dens are the Azalea indica, indica alba, phcenicea> 
lateritia, variegata, and the yellow Azalea sinensis. 
I may mention in passing, that I found the latter 
plant wild on the Ning-po hills, so that there is no 
doubt of its being a genuine Chinese species. The 
air at this season around Fa-tee is perfumed with 
the sweet flowers of Olea fragrans, and the Mag¬ 
nolia fuscata, both of which are grown extensively 
in these gardens. 
Tree peeonies are not natives of the south of 
China, but are brought down in large quantities 
every year, about the month of January from the 
northern provinces. They flower soon after they 
arrive, and are rapidly bought up by the Chinese to 
ornament their houses, after which they are thrown 
away, as they do not thrive well so far south as 
Canton or Macao, and will not flower a second 
season. 
On the island of Poo-to-san, the Camellia japonica 
grows spontaneously in the woods, where we met 
many specimens from twenty to thirty feet in height 
and with stems thick in proportion. The variety, 
however, was only the well-known single red. 
CUTTING HAY* FOR STOCK. 
It has frequently been asked how cutting hay for 
stock adds to its nutritive qualities. It is precisely 
upon the same principle as cutting up meat fine and 
making a mince of it. There is more or less nutri¬ 
ment in the tougher pieces, and even gristle, if these 
are cut fine with the chopping knife; and nicely 
cooked and agreeably seasoned, the dish is eaten 
with peculiar relish, easily digests, and goes twice 
as far as in the ordinary method of taking meat m 
slices; for under such circumstances we reject all 
that is not tender, juicy, and particularly palatable. 
In cutting hay all the coarser parts and even straw 
are made agreeable to the taste of animals, espe¬ 
cially if it be cut up and spiced with a little meal, 
shorts, or bran. Nor have they the power to reject 
any part when cut up, and as all is more or less nu¬ 
tritious the hay must go further; nor can it be 
pulled out and wasted as when fed loose. Another 
important consideration is, an animal can fill its 
stomach much more easily and readily on cut than 
uncut food, and can then lie down and ruminate, 
and rest, allowing the food full time to digest and 
distribute its strengthening qualities throughout the 
system, and renovate it for renewed exertions. 
AMERICAN FRESH MEATS IN ENGLAND. 
Considerable quantities of fresh carcase pork 
were carried to Liverpool in our packet ships during 
the past winter, and sold at a large profit in the 
fresh meat markets of that city. Why could this 
not be made a good winter business with our city 
butchers, and such graziers as live in the vicinity 
of the railroads ? The only objection to an exten¬ 
sive business of this kind—ice and .cold weather 
permitting—-is, the absence of the right kind of ani¬ 
mals to send to the English markets. Such meats 
as pork, beef, and mutton, saying nothing of poultry; 
of which we could also send hundreds of tons, are 
worth in the Liverpool and London markets 12 to 
18 cents per pound, at all times. And now, duties 
off, the expense.of freight is a mere trifle—a bare 
per centage of their value. But such meats to be 
profitable must be good—better in the beef and mut- 
