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ture of this, was introduced into these regions in the Yuen dynasty, by a lady, so historians say, whose name was Hưáng. On her return from the south, from the provinces of Fuhkien and Canton by sea, she brought the seeds of the cotton with her. These being planted, grew thriftily; and the cultivation and manufacture of cot- con spread so rapidly, and became such au important article, that at her death thousands and teng of thousands, benefited by her enter- prise; mourned with deep lamentation, followed her to the grave, erected monuments to her memory, and now pay her divine honors. At this moment, while we write, the streets and suburbs of Shing- hai are whitened with the products of the plentiful harvest, pouring in from every quarter of the surrounding plains. Warehouses are filling up, and ships are foading. Multitudes of the poor cottagers are busily employed in separating the cotton from the seed, or in other manipulations preparatory for the market. What may be the total amount that is brought into or carried out of this city, or con- sumed here, we can no more conjecture than we could the quantity of waters that roll down the Child of the Ocean, in its way to the yellow sea. Regarding the cultivation of cotton, the reader will find much valuable information' in the "Wanderings" of Mr. For- tune. All the branches of this great business-cultivating, spin- ning, weaving, &c., are conducted in the simplest manner. are no immense farms, nor any great manufacturing establishments. The work is all done single-handed; a few plants here, and a few threads there are seen; and from these dribblets, comes the grand total of this valuable product.
There
Tea, as an article of export from this market, is already an im- portant item; and considering the proximity of Shánghái to the most fertile districts of Ngánhwúi and Chehkiáng, where any quan- tities of the best qualities can be produced, the merchant here may very naturally anticipate a large increase in this branch of his busi-
ness.
Silks, ir like' mħnner, can be thrown into this market, quickly at a very cheap'rate, by those who gain a livelihood by their home trade-purchasing of the grower and selling to the foreign exporter.
Woollen stuffs, brought from beyond sea, and the products of the combined workings of modern machinery and steam-power, will no doubt be furnished here at such moderate prices, wholesale and re- tail, as to secure a steadily increasing demand for them, both among the inhabitants on the plains of Kiánguán and among those in the