CO129-018 - Others - 1846 — Page 488

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REPORT ON

Inclosure in No. III.

REPORT ON THE ISLAND OF CHUSAN.

Physical Geography-Chusan, or Chowsan, so called in Chinese from its resemblance to a boat, is the chief insular settlement of an archipelago of lofty islands, varying in size and fertility, which extend upwards of sixty miles from north to south, and about fifty miles from east to west-distant from Kito Point, on the main land of China, about seven miles, and about forty miles distant from Ningpo. hae, the capital of Chusan, is in 30° 10′ north latitude, and 122° 14′ east longitude. The length of the island is about twenty-three miles from east to west, and the breadth from north to south seven to eleven Ting- miles. The circumference is about 150 miles.

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The two principal bays are those of Tinghae on the southern and of Singkong on the western coast of Chusan; there are, however, several other bays and barbours. Tinghae or Chusan Bay or harbour is land-locked, and has three good entrances*. One hundred sail of rigged vessels may anchor with ease in the inner harbour of Chusan, although the adjacent anchorages are generally safe. (See maps accom- panying.) The rise and fall of tide is twelve feet six inches, and the average depth of the harbour is four to ten fathoms. There is a good position for docks and a dockyard, which are so much wanting in the China seas. Singkong bay or strait is six miles in length, with an average breadth of 700 yards. There are two entrances of easy access at the north and south extremities of the bay, which is well sheltered, and affords excellent anchorages for ships of war, or for vessels of large burthen. Good water is plentiful. There is an admirable site for a large dockyard.

The highest elevation of the island is at its eastern extremity where one peak rises to 1100 feet above the sea; the average height of the hilly portion is from 500 to 700 feet.

Chusan consists of numerous ranges of hills, with broad intervening vallies; every range is connected by spurs or buttresses, assuming the most varied forms, and appearing as if of diluvian origin, many parts at no great distance of time having been left dry by the receding ocean.

Some of the vallies are from eight to nine miles long, and present one continuous scene of rich cultivation. wherever there is any soil on the surface, are terraced and cropped with different useful vegetables. Wheat, tea, grasscloth plant, sweet The mountains and hills, potatoes, cotton, tobacco, and rice, may be found on the same side of a mountain, the water collected on the top being permitted to descend to the different terraces, until it is deposited in the rice-field at the bottom of the mountain. while the Spanish chesnut, walnut, tallow, and varnish trees, adorn and In some parts the mountains are planted with fir, enrich the lowlands. Canals, some twenty feet wide, are very numer- ous, and kept always flowing by means of locks and of the numerous streams of fine water which fall from the hills, sometimes in beautiful cascades. The canals are used to mark the boundaries of property as well as for irrigation. One large canal southward and eastward of

* I beat into the harbour at night with perfect safety.

CHUSAN.

Tinghae admits junks of considerable burthen a good way into the north valley and adjacent to the gates of the city, at the rise of the tide which is twelve feet six inches (see map). The whole island is intersected by substantial paved or flagged roads about five to seven feet broad, slightly elevated above the adjacent fields, but which at little expense might be widened to admit of wheeled carriages. present everything is borne on the shoulders of men; but the unshod horse traverses the roads with celerity.

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The towns and villages are scattered pretty equally over the whole island; in the valley of Tachin is a very large unwalled town with a river running through it.

The whole island is admirably irrigated; the water which flows from the hills is very pure, and conduits might readily be constructed to bring abundance of water into Tinghae, instead of relying on the wells, which are said to be brackish and a cause of diarrhoea.

One third of the island, according to Lieutenant Sargent, is cul- tivated. Dr. Gingell, 2nd Madras Native Infantry, the Chinese interpreter, says, that 135,000 mows of land are under cultivation with grain. Reckoning the mow as equal to an English rood this would give 33,750 acres producing chiefly rice. When we consider that two crops of rice and one of oil-seed are obtained annually from the land (the October rice crop growing up while the August rice crop is being reaped) the amount of corn production must be considerable. As well as I could ascertain I am led to conclude, that the agricultural produce of the island is sufficient to feed all its inhabitants throughout the year. The quantity of garden vegetables grown is very great; the soil, stimulated by the constant application of liquid manure (of which large earthen jars are kept at the corner of every field and garden), increases the size but diminishes the flavour of the different products which are grown in rapid succession, the earth being never allowed to lie fallow*.

* Mr. Bernard, in his interesting work, "Narrative of the Voyages and Services of the Nemesis," which I saw after this report was forwarded to the Governor, adverts to the hospitable, obliging, and civil disposition he experienced among the inhabitants of Chusan, and at vol. ii., p. 187, thus describes the island :--

"Nothing can be more striking or picturesque than the views on every side as you approach Chusan. Much as you may have read of the careful cultivation and economical husbandry of the Chinese (not always so great as supposed), you are here particularly struck with the garden-like aspect of every spot of ground you see. The country is hilly on all sides, but every hill is cultivated with extreme care up to its very summit. It is divided into small ridges or beds in which vari- ous productions are raised side by side, giving the greatest possible variety to the aspect of the country, and pointing out the vast labour and perseverance with which the tillage must be conducted to subdue the stubborn soil.' It is almost entirely spade husbandry, and ought rather to be called horticulture. In the low valleys and little sheltered nooks you trace villages and farm-houses of neat appear- ance, and every bend of the coast, every bit of low swampy ground is embanked, and recovered from the sea by long thick stone walls which are maintained with the utmost care. Behind these the ground is laid out in rice fields, irrigated with much ingenuity; and there is a general appearance of well-being and industry which indicates a thriving and contented population.

"How different from the aspect of Hong Kong and the other islands to the southward !**

If Mr. Bernard had visited some of the beautiful and rich vallies of the interior he would have extended his truthful description of Chusan.

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