Forestry Technology and Social Culture Recorded by BAO Shi-chen

The excellent agricultural work, the County Agriculture(郡县农政)，written by BAO Shi-chen around the Opium War, reflects forestry technology and social culture at that time concretely. Some peasants in Changjiang-Huaihe valleys realized the natural law, utilized mountainous areas and wastelands to plant trees, and combined forestry with water conservancy and animal husbandry. According to biological habits and characteristics of the subjects of labor, the peasants took a series of effectively technological measures and relevant management methods to cultivate bamboo, candlenut, Chinese fir, vegetable tallow, tea, pear, etc. In the practice, they created rich forestry culture. Although there were some mysterious features, these achievements of forestry technology and scientific thoughts strikingly show the wisdom of local peasants in that area. It helps to enlighten modern Chinese people to follow the road of civilized development.