Canton, (China) Nov. 4, 1831.

MY DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,--The Chinese rulers of the present day,
say to their people,--"give the chief place to husbandry and the
cultivation of the mulberry-tree, in order to procure adequate
supplies of food and raiment." To impress this precept on the
minds of the people, they add,--"if a man plough not, he will very
likely suffer hunger; if a woman weave not, she may probably feel
the cold. Of old time, the emperors themselves ploughed, and their
empresses cultivated the mulberry; they disdained not to labor,
in order that, by their example, they might excite the millions
of the people to lay due stress on the radical principles of
economy." And yet again they add,--"We wish our people to exert
their whole strength in agriculture. Do not love idleness and hate
labor; do not be diligent at first, and slothful afterwards; do
not, because of a deficient season, reject your fields and
plantations; do not covet the multiplied profits of commerce, and
change the good old employment. Agriculture alone is the
fundamental employment."

I have made these quotations, in order to show you in what
estimation agriculture is held by the emperors of China. In regard
to "farming business," they act very wisely, and set before their
people a good example. For a long time the Chinese have been
regarded, as among the best, and the most ancient tillers of the
ground. Very many of the people are farmers. A pretty large
proportion, I should think six-eights, of the whole population
engage in agricultural pursuits.

Some notices of their implements and modes of husbandry, and the
productions of their soil, will serve to illustrate the
character and condition of those who make agriculture their
essential employment.

Their farming tools are few in number, and simple in the
structure. Not a wheel carriage of any description have I yet seen
in China, excepting only fire engines, which, both foreign and
native built, are usually drawn on four wheels. In the north of
China, wheel carriages for various purposes are in common use;
but here, all kinds of produce and merchandize, and men and women
themselves, are carried, either in boats, or by human strength.
The sedan, in which people ride, is made quite like a chaise top,
with poles, like thills, extending an equal distance before and
behind. Only one person is seated in the sedan, and two strong
men stooping down take the poles on their shoulders, and then
rising up, lift the sedan about a foot from the ground. In this
style, away they go, for miles, like horses. These bearers the
Chinese nick-name mo-me-ma, i.e. no-tail-horses. Similar men are
employed to carry heavy burdens. When the weight is only enough
for one man, it is suspended from the ends of a light, but very
strong bamboo pole, about six feet long, which the bearer balances
on his right shoulder. When the weight requires two or more men,
it is suspended from the middle of the pole, which is a large round
heavy bamboo, about ten feet long. In this way thousands of our
fellow-men are used as beasts of burden.

The Chinese use the plough and harrow, which are made similar to
those used in America. These are drawn by a single ox, or
buffalo,--a very stout animal, of a dun color, well fitted for
the work. Their spade, hoe, and rake, and their implements for
cutting, threshing, and winnowing grain are, also, like those
used in the United States, and in Europe, though much more rude
and simple. They commonly use a large pestle and mortar to make
flour. They have also mills for grinding, but the stones used are
always small, and never turned by water. These mills are,
probably, like those referred to the words--"two women shall be
grinding at the mill."

What I have now told you of their implements, will lead you to
form some ideas of the modes of husbandry, which are most common
among the Chinese. The very great variety, plenty and perfection
of vegetable productions found among this people, give us
favorable opinions of their manner of cultivating the earth.
Their lands are laid out in extensive fields, and ditches dug,
or stones set up, usually serve for land marks. I believe they
have no fences, except, sometimes, around their richest
gardens,--and these not so much for a defence against the
encroachment of beasts, as they are for a protection from thieves
and robbers.

Very little of their land is left uncultivated. Indeed some of
the most rich and beautiful grounds are made so by human industry.
Sometimes by embankments built up like mildams, the water is kept
back, and acres and acres are made dry land, and rich harvests
are gathered, where before it was all covered with water, and men
used to drag their nets to catch fish. At other times, hard,
sterile hill-tops, terraced and covered with a rich soil, are made
charmingly beautiful, and very productive. Very much is effected
by manuring and irrigation. The methods of doing the latter are
very curious. But of these and many other things I have not time
to speak. Besides I am afraid you will be tired with my long
accounts; which, indeed, are becoming much larger than I
intended. I could by no means persuade, or allow myself thus to
employ a few,--not leisure, hours, did I not hope, and confidently
believe, that you will do something for this people. China has
long, long been neglected. Scores and scores of laborers are
needed, to break up this fallow ground, to sow the good seed, to
seek the Lord, the Lord of the harvest, till he come and rain
righteousness upon this people, and make them his own husbandry.

You know, my dear young friends, that God, our heavenly Father,
is very good, that He doeth good to the evil and unthankful, and
sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. God has been very
good to the Chinese. Of fruit trees, He has given them the rich
banana, the apple, peach, walnut, chestnut, orange lemon, and
many others. He has given them figs, grapes, and many kinds of
berries. Of vegetables, He has given them almost every kind,
that can be named. He has caused the mulberry to grow and yield
an abundance of material for silk to clothe them. He has given
them the tea plant also, and so plenteously, that they can
supply the whole world with it, and make themselves rich in the
traffic. He has given them abundance of grain for bread, and
for meat. He has given them the fishes of the sea, the fowls
of heaven, and cattle on a thousand hills. But, alas! they do
not love to retain Him in their knowledge. They deny his
existence. They worship dumb idols. And, what think you, will
become of them when they die? Oh, happy, thrice happy is that
nation--thrice happy are those children, whose God is the Lord.
Farewell, dear children. The Lord bless you evermore, and your
true friend.

E.C.B.

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