The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-04-04
CECIL FARMERS CLUB
Regular Monthly Meeting at Mr..
Thomas c. Bonds, Near
Port Deposit.
Rev. Winifred W. Shaw Gives an Inter
cSting "Talk" OH the Culture
and Habits of the Chinese.

The regular monthly meeting of the Cecil
Farmers Club, was held at the "Maples'
! farm, the beautiful homestead of Mr.. Thomas
c. Bond near Port Deposit on Wednesday
the 18th inst. In the absence Of Mr.. John p
Wilson. the President of the Club. Mr. Alfred
Kirk. Vice President, took the chair at IL a.
m, when the following members answered to
their names: Col. Enoch Noyes, Col. John
r. Bond, George w. Sutton james H. Max.
well. George W. Clifford, Joseph Coudon. (of
Jos.), Henry Coudon. r. b. Waters, L. l..
Duyckinck and DR.. II. f. Bromwell an hon
orary member Of the club. Rev. Winfield w.
Shaw was the only visitor present by invita-
ton. The minutes of the last meeting were
read and after some discussion relative to
the accuracy OF the report Of the committee
on examination of premises as contained
thirsin. were approved.
No experiments being reported and in the
absence of an essay. consequent upon too short
notice, and press OF business upoL Mr..
Bond, Rev. Mr.. Shaw gave a very interesting
talk on "The Culture and Habits of the
Chinese China being one of the largest
countries in the world, the average birth
rate is 100000 souls As agriculturists
the Chinese rank first in that art particularly
as regards cleanliness, many times using a
bathtub to cook in, yet they are healthy rs
most races. An article of food that enters
largely into the Chinese "menu." is fatty
bean, the oil of which enters largely into
their trade and the cake Of which is used for
various prepared foods. You never see any
excrcments from beasts on the public roads.
This is oil gathered up, ind applied to the
soil. Chinese never drink cold water and the
habit OF using hot water after each meal is
attributed to the beautiful teeth they possess.
They never use milk or enjoy any of the lux
uries OF the dairy. They yet hold to the
practice OF binding the feet of women as
mark of purity and royalty.
The Emperor to instil the art of agricul-
ture into the serfs in all cases, is the first to
lay his hand to the pillow, and pillow three
burrows. Then in turn each Of the subordi-
mates takes his turn at the same task in ratio
to the rank they hold to proportional labor.
The climate in northern China is very cold
liO degrees being no unusual thing, and
rivers freeze with feet of ice while the sum-
mers are very hot. In this part OF China one
of the chief foods for man and beast is millet
which grows feet high, and the stalks Of
which is largely used as fuel, wood being
very scarce and only the better classes can
afford this luxury. While rice is one OF the
delicacies in Southern China ii is one of the
stpplp Tho mpIe If nj 10 ta w
the seed in very wet or liquid land to sprout
and is set out similar to the way we put out
tomato plants. All seeds are sown in drills,
never broadcast. The use of machines is not
known in China, The motive power in some
parts is the buffalo, while in others mules,
and but few horses, unless ponies. In many
parts only manual labor is employed by the
use of wheel barrows. You frequently see Il
donkey hitchcd TO a barrow. with two men to
hold the handles of course. These barrows
while similar in construction TO our own bar
rows are much longer. Wagons in China,
are simply curiosity the roads only being
wide enough for these barrows. Every foot
OF valuable land is under cultivation and all
done by hand labor, while in other parts Of
China, they use narrow gage carts, having no
pride in "a team, often Il mule, COW, horse or
pony all in one team. Fences in China, are
| unknown in many parts. Tho lands are taxed
nominaly, as in other countries, while the
serfs or poor people are heavily taxed.
1t is difficult to transfer lands, and all i'm
portant legal documents are written on red
| paper which is the national color. The houses
are all low, facing the South Invariably,
owing to superstition. Spires are never seen.
One peculiarly among the Chinese men is to