Identifier: naturalistinwes02wils (
find matches)Title:
A naturalist in Western China : with vasculum, camera, and gun, being some account of eleven year's travel, exploration, and observation in the more remote parts of the flowery kingdom;Year:
1913 (
1910s)Authors:
Wilson, Ernest Henry, 1876-1930Subjects:
BotanyPublisher:
London, MethuenContributing Library:
Robarts - University of TorontoDigitizing Sponsor:
University of TorontoView Book Page:
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view book online to see this illustration in context in a browseable online version of this book.Text Appearing Before Image:t attended to, with theresult that nearly all Chinese fruit is lacking in quality.Usually it is gathered before it is properly ripe, and this hasmuch to do with the absence of flavour which is unfortunatelycharacteristic. Particularly is this indifference and neglectevident in central and Western China, where a very con-siderable quantity/ and variety is grown. The oranges, peaches,and persimmons are equal to those obtainable any^vhere, butall the other succulent fruits are of very low-grade quality.It is to be regretted that more attention is not given to thesubject, for the region could undoubtedly be made to producethe very best of fruits. In ascending the Yangtsze River, from where the foothillscommence below Ichang, and westward to Sui Fu, Orange-groves are a feature, attaining their greatest luxuriance betweenChungking and Lu Chou. In December, when the trees areladen with ripe fruit, these groves are a remarkable sight. TheOrange is happiest when growing on the leeside of rockyText Appearing After Image:THE MANDARIN OKANC.K IN FULL FRULI FRUITS, WILD AND CULTIVATED 25 escarpments, or at their base, where it is protected from thewinds. It is very partial to the clayey marls and sandstonesof the Red Basin. In western Szechuan the loose-skinnedor Mandarin Orange (Citrus nobilis) is most generally grown.In season the fruit can be purchased on the spot at the rateof 500 to 1000 for a shilling. Unfortunately this orange doesnot keep well, but when removed and dried the rind constitutesa favourite medicine known as Chien-yiin-pi. The fibresand pithy substance surrounding the fleshy carpels withinthe rind also form a medicine which is called Chii-lo. Inthe gorges a tight-skinned or Sweet Orange, Shan Kan-tzu (C. Aurantium, var.), is more usually met with. The so-calledIchang orange of this type is noted far and wide in China.It has a higher market-value than the Mandarin andkeeps well. In Chengtu these oranges are kept fresh and goodaU through the summer, but by what process I failed todiscoNote About Images Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original work.