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Notices of Chusan.
AUG.
points on the beach, where it was practicable, but not in large quantities. Ice was imported from the northern ports, and stored in large houses having thick mud walls and well thatched roofs, and was used for the preservation of fish. In the suburbs, were several large timber-yards, well stocked with good spars and blocks of wood. These yards belonged to persons of wealth, who however deserted all on the first arrival of the troops, but eventually returned, and begged to have their property restored, which was done. This wood does not grow on the island, but comes over in rafts from the main. Great numbers of fishing-boats, of various sizes, belonged to persons at Tinghae, but the chief place for their resort, as also of junks from Fuhkeën, was Shinkeä mun (Sinkamong) the southeastern point of the island, where there was always a considerable degree of bustle and activity.
Bricks were made in large quantities at several places, as also tiles, earthern jars, and water pipes: these were well burnt, with charcoal, in a kind of kiln; the clay is of a blue color; and the bricks were hard and durable, and emitted a strong metallic sound when struck. The bricks of which the parapet of the city wall was built, were of large size, and each had the date of its manufacture stamped upon it. Lime was made from oyster and other shells, and burnt with charcoal in an open hearth, having a large blowing ap paratus or air bellows, of simple construction, attached to it.
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Great numbers of tallow trees were grown in the island, which yielded abundance of vegetable tallow; and several large candle ma- nufactories were seen in full operation, where candles of all sizes and colors were manufactured.
Cotton is also grown, but not to any very great extent; the seeds are removed by the small mill in common use in the east, with horizontal cylinders, and a rough kind of fly wheel. Carding, spinning, weav ing and dyeing, were also frequently seen in the various villages. Indigo was also produced in good quantity, and many large jars of this article, in process of making, were seen in some of the houses. Var- nish trees were common; and the transparent varnish, of which the Chinese are so fond, was also produced, but not to any large amount. Numerous grains, vegetable productions, &c., were produced in the island, as wheat, buckwheat, rice, millet, Indian corn (or maize), barley, sugar-cane, sweet potatoe, spinach, beans, brinjal, onions, carrots, yams, lettuce, turnips, ginger, thubarb, tobacco, and perhaps even some more that were not noticed. ' Of fruits, there were pears, peaches, plums, oranges, limes, loquats, and a kind of cherry. In