The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-11-26

Ing the crops II Ia obvious that in a country
where the very poor in majority, and vher,
the fields are altogether open, IL il desirabl. IN
devise some plan by which unprotected propertv
can he looked after. In every Chinese orchard
as soon ns the fruit begins to show the smalles,
sign OF ripcning, the owner Lceps some O, hi,
family on guard day and night until the Las,
APRICOT plum OF pcur is removed from the trees
Little watching booths put UP even in fields O,
sorghum which, at nr7t sight would not seer,
likely 10 be 81 len. AS matter of fact the heads
of sorghum and Of milet arc easily clipped OIL
Again. nothing In easier than rapidly to despoll
field Of corn or 10 dig up sweet potatoes Tho
latter. for that matter. nre not safe from the viii
lagc dogs, which have been taught by aRes OF
experience that raw vegetable food IL bcttor than
no food at all. What require unccasinr yiei.
lance, however. arc tho melon patches and IN,
orchards OF watermelons, the Chinese arc a.
Unfortunately fond as are American negroes and
the utmost pains has TO be taken 10 pro
vent pilfcring. Where the population IL
densest. the extent to which night watch.
ing has to be carried al ost passes belief
II is 10 afford some relief from the Gearly insur.
portable burden that societies for watching tbs
crops have originated. Tho reason for the
organization Of such societies is Of course the fac,
that, in China, there arc so many poor people
whose only resource is To steal One OF the agreo-
mcnts made by crop-protecting league Ia 10 the
effect that, II any person finds some one stealing
and fails to seize or report the offender. the person
guilty Of such omission shall be held 10 he him.
self culpnblc of the offence, and shall be fined
accordingly. The oolored resident Of Georgia
who complained that the black man had no chance
In that State. being obliged "to work hard all
day and steal all night In order TO mako an hon
est living" represented class which can Be
found In all parts Of China, and class which
has u he taken into account The lot Of crop
watcher is not a pleasant one Spending the
night In the fields during the harvest season,
when the ground In saturated with moisture
induces malaria, rheumatism and pneumonia,
as well as other ailments All risks, however,
must he disregarded. or there would be nothing
10 eat for a year.
Tho share principle Is applied in China even
10 wedding and funeral feasta II con seldom
be known with certainty how uInny guests will
attend but the provision must be made upon
the basis Of the largest number likely 10 appear.
Each guest, or rather each family. Is not only
expected, but, by n rigorous code OF social etl-
quete. required to contribute to the expenses
Of the occasion. The contribution will some
times take the form of food but the general prao-
tico is TO bring money, according to a scale which
IN generally understood. The amount varies
fr m n equiv nlcnt " Ave or six cents up 10 q
quarter OF dollar or more, according TO the de-
gree OF intimacy between the persons and the
ability Of the guests to contribute To attend
feast but not 10 bring any contribution. either
in money or in kind. seems 10 be practically
unkno"n. though II frequently happens that
the quantity Of food donated IL leas than half Of
what is eaten by the donor The same phenom-
enOn has been remarked at the so-called donation
parties given 70 country clergy in parts Of tho
United States IL is always taken for granted
by the Chinese that any family rich enough To
spend large amount Of money on the funeral
OF a parent will be mercilessly pillagcd Tho
reason Is that. at such n time the master OF tho
house Is theoretically overcome by gnet, and
take no part in affairs but should give his eI-
elusive attention 10 the mourning rites