University of Nanking - Linguist Yearbook (Nanking, China)

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THE LINGUIST as I have since read that Professor King, While traveling over this same road Wbually counted between two stations 162 miles apart, 593 canals. An average, he says, of more than three to the mile. The remarkable faflt about this is that we passed not a single one along which there was not Some evidence of constant use. Along the banks wooden-chain irrigation pumps operated by human foot-power raised the water, to flood adjacent rice fields. In the absence of adequate roads, what goods were transported along the foot-paths must be carried either by wheelbarrow or 4 Photo by Mission Photo Bllfddn 'A Grist Mill by being strapped to poles slung between the shoulders of two men. The great mass of transportation, however, was carried on by means Of this intricate system of water-ways. Numerous Chinese lunks: each with two large eyes painted on their grotesquely up-curved PI'0WS 'f0r the Chinese Claim that logically a junk must be able to see where it is going-Were Pl'0pelled either by poles or by men tracking the 08111911 banks, TOPQS draw!! taut over their shoulders. These and the smaller flat-boftomed b09J'GS ladened with goods of all kinds and descriptionS, Plied Ceaselessly UP and d0Wn this net-Work of water-ways. Oceasiwlally We passed groups of

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62 COUNTRY PEOPLE The table between us was soon spread, and set with silver-it might be nearer the truth to say nickel--and we were speedily introduced to a siX course English dinner served in elegant style. Before we were through our attention was arrested by a weird Chinese melody sung in a high nasal falsetto. Looking about for the source of the disturbance, we were much amused to discover a somewhat portly Chinese gentleman, wh0, having iinished his repast, was lying Hat on his back-or as nearly so as the cramped proportions of the seat would permit. There, basking in the sun, with his head resting on the window ledge and a paper propped against his knees, he was droning out the day's news, improvising the Photo by Jlisston Photo Bm-can A Flooded Rice Field music as he went along. Several Others sitting near were apparently listening-in, free of charge. Tiffin over, we again turned our attention to the strangeness of the scenery without. By this time the sense of depression at the sight of so many grave-mounds, gradually dispersed by the very monotony of the scene. Other novel features caught our attention. Perhaps the most striking of these was the vast nllnlber' of canals, water-ways, and ponds. It is difficult to estimate the number and extent of these water-ways but

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64 COUNTRY PEOPLE youngsters poling about in some of these small boats, reminding us that boys are the same the world over. Again, men, with their flat-bottomed boats overflowing with all manner of green vegetables, poled leisurely along the canals, stopping to display their edibles before the mud homei which fronted directly upon these water-ways. Even the ponds, which were scattered generously between the canalS, were put to economic use. Some supported ducks and geese. I Many, we have since learned, are periodically stocked with fish. And all were made to serve as reservoirs. Frequently the surface of these ponds were covered with the huge leaves of the lotus plant, the roots of which constitute such an important item of diet. Many times we noticed adrift in the center of some pond, a woman or child seated in what appeared to be P- large wash-tub and engaged in pulling up the tangled growth which covered the surface, to pluck something from the roots. Later we learned that they were gathering water-chestnuts. These ponds were also used to irrigate rice fields, which at this season were in the process of being flooded. At times, for long stretches, we seemed to be rushing through vast level plains of water farms,'l above whose placid surface the boundaries of the fields alone rose to zigzag their way into the distance. Scattered here and there were small islands, in the midst of which stood the low-thatched homes of these farmers. In the distance, pagodas dotted the horizon. At one time I counted twelve of these outlined against the sky at the same instant. Often in one of these fields submerged under two or more feet of water, could be seen a farmer plowing with his water buffalo When not working, these animals might be seen standing stolidly in this Held of water or browsing along the margins. Frequently a small boy would be sprawled at full length on the broad back, head pillowed on his arms and toes digging ,deliciously into the furry sides. Off in the distance- ' ' Just here a man selling papers came through the car. We were nearing a station. He asked if I were through with mine, took itg 'and after gathering other papers which had been discarded, sat down in a corner to smooth them out. These he promptly resold to new arrivals. In the meantime the scenes outside had shifted. We passed several small round shelters under which one blind-folded donkey or water buffalo plodded faithfully round and round, grinding' grain between two' large flat QC'ohcluded on page 1343