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.