IF the Chinese were as careful in cultivating their Fruit Trees, as we generally are in Europe, they would have Plenty of almost all Kinds, the only difference would be the want of Variety of each distinct Sort ; as for Instance, they have but three or four kinds of Apples, seven or eight of Pears, as many of Peaches, and none of Cherries but what are very indifferent.
But what makes amends for this Defect is, that they have several excellent Fruits to which we are Strangers , particularly one which they call Tse tse, and the Portuguese, Figs, because when it is dried it becomes mealy and sweet like a Fig. The trees on which they grow, when grafted become very charming to the Eye ; they are as tall, and spread about as much as a middle size'd Walnut Tree : The Leaves are large,, and of a lively Green, which change in the Autumn to an agreeable Red. The Fruit is about the bigness of a handsome Apple, and their Colour, when ripe, is a bright Yellow.
In the Southern Provinces there grow other Fruits, which are still in greater esteem among the Natives, for, besides Oranges of several Sorts, Lemons, Citrons, which were many Years ago brought into Europe, we meet with two several Kinds which are unknown among us. That which they call Li Tchi is about the Size of a Date, The Stone is equally long and hard, it is cover'd with a soft Pulp, full of Moisture, and of an excellent Taste ; when dry'd, it loses a great Part of its fine Flavour, and becomes black and wrinkled like our ordinary Prunes. The Rind outwardly resembles Shagreen, but is smooth within ; the Figure is nearly oval.
 The other Kind has the Name of Longyen, that is to say, the Dragon's Eye, the Shape is round, the Rind yellowish, th<br> </div> <div>The other Kind has the Name of Longyen, that is to say, the Dragon's Eye, the Shape is round, the Rind yellowish, the Pulp white, moist, and inclinable to the Acid, It is pretended that this is not so agreeable as the former, but it is more wholesome, for it never occasions any Disorder. </div> <d<br> </div> <div>The other Kind has the Name of Longyen, that is to say, the Dragon's Eye, the Shape is round, the Rind yellowish, the Pulp white, moist, and inclinable to the Acid, It is pretended that this is not so agreeable as the former, but it is more wholesome, for it never occasions any Disorder. </div> <de Pulp white, moist, and inclinable to the Acid, It is pretended that this is not so agreeable as the former, but it is more wholesome, for it never occasions any Disorder.
The Yeou and Qanglau are ordinary Fruits, and not worth insisting on in particular, However, the way of gathering the latter, which are a Kind of Olive, is worthy Observation, Before they are quite ripe, and yet are in a Condition proper for Eating, instead of beating them down with long Poles, which is the Custom in other Places, they make a Hole in the Body of the Tree, in which they put Salt, and then stop it up ; by this means, in a few days time, the Olives fall from the Tree of themselves.
Among other Trees, there are two which ought not to be omitted, for besides their Singularity, they are useful at Meals, The one produces a kind of Pepper, called Hoa tsiao, it is the Rind of a Berry; is big as a Pea ; the Kernel is too hot and biting to be made use of; the Colour of it is Gray mingled with Streaks of Red. It is not so pungent nor agreeable to the Taste as Pepper, and consequently is only used by the meaner People, The Plant that produces it in some places is a thick Bush; in others a Tree of moderate Height.
The other Tree produces Peas. The Shape, Colour, Shell and Taste are extremely like our ordinary Peas. This Tree is common enough in several Provinces, and for Tallness, spreading Branches and Thickness, gives place to very few.
But among Trees which claim the Attention of the Publick, and which are most likely to raise the Envy pf the Europeans, are the Four that follow.
The First is the Varnish Tree [Tsi-chu], Its Size is very mean, its Bark whitish, its Leaf resembles that of the wild Cherry Tree. The Gum, which distills Drop by Drop, is like the Tears of the Turpentine tree. It yields a greater Quantity of Liquor if an Incision be made in it , but then it soon destroys the Tree.
This Vanish is constantly used,and greatly esteem'd by the Artificers ; it takes all Colours alike, and if it be well managed, neither loses its Lustre by the Changes of the Air, nor the Age of the Wood to which it is apply'd.
The Second Tree is Tong-chu, from which a Liquor is gain'd not much differing from Varnish. It resembles a Walnut Tree so nearly, that many have been deceived by it. The Nut is fall of a thickish Oil mix'd with an oily Pulp, which they take Care so squeeze, otherwise they would lose , great Part of the Liquor. This, as well as the Varnish, is supposed to have a Poisonous Quality. To make it fit for use, they boil it with Litharge, and may mix it with any Colour at Pleasure, It is often used of itself to varnish Wood, which preserves it from the bad Effects of Rain , as also to give a Lustre to the Floors of the Emperor's Apartments, and those of the Grandees,
The Third remarkable Tree is the Tallow-Tree. It is as high as a large Cherry-Tree; the Fruit is contained in a Rind, which, when ripe, opens in the Middle like a Chestnut : It consists of white Kernels of the Size of a hazel Nut, whose Pulp has the Proper, ties of Tallow, and pif which Candles are accordingly made.
The Fourth is the most uncommon of all ; it is call'd Pe-la-chu, that is, the Whiter Wax-Tree, It is not so tall as the Tallow-Tree, from which it also differs in the Colour of the Bark, which is whitish, and in the Shape of the Leaves, which are longer than they are broad. A little kind of Worm fixes itself to the Leaves, and forms a sort of Comb much smaller than a Honeycomb. The Wax of this is very hard and shining, and of far greater Value than then common Bee-Wax.
To the Number of useful Trees may be added the Reed, or hollow Cane, commonly called a Bamboo. It generally grows to the Height of an ordinary Tree, and though it is knotty and hollow, it is exceeding hard, and will sustain a great Weight, and is therefore in some Places used in Building. It will admit of being divided into very small Splinters or Strings, of which they make Boxes, Baskets, and other curious Works.
When it is broken in Pieces, grown rotten, and boiled in Water till it is reduced into a kind of Paste, it serves to make Paper of different Kinds. It is also made use of for Pipes to convey Water, and indeed for so many other Purposes, that it would be tedious to mention them.
They have mod Kinds of Wood that are to be found in Europe , but that of greatest Esteem among them is called Nan-mon. The ancient Palaces of the Emperors have the Windows, Gates, Beams, and Pillars of this Wood. The Natives imagine it will never decay, and consequently that whatever is formed with it will last for ever. Some have supposed it to be a kind of Cedar, but the Leaves are not at all like it. It is a very tall Tree, and the Body of it is very strait.
But no Kind of Wood, for Beauty, can equal the Tse-tam : It is of a Reddish Black, and full of fine Veins, which seem painted. It is very proper for Cabinets, and the very finest Sort of Joiners Work ; and whatever is made of it is in great Esteem,
With respect to Strength and Firmness, the Ironwood gives Place to none. The Tree is as tall as our large Oaks, but differs from it in the Thickness of the Trunk, the Shape of the Leaf, the Colour of the Wood, which is darker, and more especially in the Weight. The Anchors of their Ships of War are made of this Wood, and the Emperor's Officers pretend that they are preferable to those made of Iron , but in this they must needs be mistaken. |