1929

The rich flora of China, still only superficially studied and known only from fragments brought back by European and American travellers, hides very much of great value. Tung-oil trees (Vernicia fordii and V. cordata), guttapercha-producing eucommias (Eucommia ulmoides) and thousands of woody and herbaceous annual and perennial ornamental plants have penetrated into European and American cultures or are being tested. Fast-ripening forms, suitable for transfer to northern latitudes, have been adapted for mountains and alpine areas there.

Under the particular conditions of a monsoon climate, in the course of thousands of years, the Chinese forms of wheat and barley have changed into peculiar subspecies. Rice, the native land of which seems to be India, where it is still possible to trace the connection between wild relatives and cultivated forms, was introduced to China and gave rise to special and improved varieties. A number of millet-like plants came originally from China. A millet, introduced there from Africa, has changed into a special species, ‘kaoliang’ (Sorghum nervosum).

The important agricultural civilization of China, where the largest and densest population of Asia is concentrated, still awaits its investigators. In the forefront of this challenge looms an enormous, detailed study of the plant resources of China and a synthesis of the knowledge concerning these resources. …

The most urgent problem facing the science of natural history is to elucidate the resources of southeastern Asia, to scrutinize critically this enormous experiment, to reveal the genius of the people and to tear down the Chinese wall of isolation.

1929

The East Asiatic cycle of my expedition ended in Korea. The acquaintance made with Chinese culture at its periphery in the province of Sinkiang [Xinjiang] and the local studies thereof in Taiwan, Korea and Japan led me to definite conclusions regarding the complete originality of this important culture, the absolutely unique composition of the cultivated plants, the peculiar agrotechnical practices and the complete independence of the ancient East Asiatic centre, which gave rise to an agriculture based on independent species and genera of plants. In an account of the history of the ancient East, usually all attention is focused on the civilizations of the Near East, Egypt and the Mediterranean countries. Occasionally the treks into India are remembered. The powerful Chinese civilization and that of all eastern Asia have remained outside the beaten path of European historical science. It is only recently that the study of the “silk roads” of western China has begun to shed light on the ancient Chinese civilization.

When studying the agriculture, cultivated flora, mode of life and practices of the agricultural population of eastern Asia, both within its peripheral parts in Japan and in Taiwan and within China itself, there are no doubts whatever about the originality of the great culture, the independent introduction of an enormous number of plants into cultivation or the domestication of pigs, chicken, silkworms and goldfish.

1929

When returning to Seoul from the western part of Korea and stopping along the road in villages and at estates, I was directed to a special government farm for cultivation of ginseng. The legendary ginseng (Panax ginseng) is a remedy against all kinds of illnesses, a most astounding medium with which many fantastic stories are connected. The root of the ginseng takes on peculiar shapes because it conforms easily to obstacles encountered in the soil. It branches and often assumes a shape reminiscent of a human, either male or female. Wild ginseng is especially valuable. Hunters of ginseng go into the forests looking for the cherished roots. It is used both dried and in the form of an infusion.
The Japanese authorities quickly understood the advantage of cultivating this interesting plant. American agronomists worked out methods for its cultivation. I was unable to learn the details because they were kept secret, but more or less of the basics could be observed even during a fleeting passage through the plantation. This crop is grown in well-prepared soil, heavily fertilized and given an overhead roofing consisting of shades of red glass over individual plants. Apparently the action of the red light is considered especially favourable for the growth of the roots.
Rich people usually end their meals by regaling themselves with ginseng. I tried it several times. Its flavor is not remarkable; it is moderately sweet and slightly numbing. Apparently you must have faith in its miraculous action. Since I do not have such a faith, I did not experience any special effect of this highly extolled root.
In the stores in Seoul, American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) can be seen. After searching the American flora for ginseng, the practical Yankees introduced it into cultivation since they calculated on a Chinese market. Experts always prefer the Chinese and especially the wild ginseng, but it seems that use of the American one has gradually diminished the preference for the local, East Asiatic species over the imported American ginseng.

1929

In contrast to the southern areas of China, Korea is to a great extent represented by a territory still barely touched and in need of roads, improvement of forests by removal of worthless trees and shrubs and regulated irrigation. The farther one proceeds into the interior, the more primitive the landscape becomes. Plowed fields stop and forested areas with a multitude of wild fruit trees take over. Here it is still possible to find, in a primitive condition, all transitions from wild to cultivated forms; therefore it is to a great extent possible to understand the origin of many Chinese cultivated plants. In this area it is still possible to find wild soyabeans with small seeds and dehiscing pods. This is a relative of the cultivated form which was introduced at a very early stage to the Soviet Far East.

1929

Korea was occupied by the Japanese in 1904. Koreans have their own language and ethics, constituting a group different from the Chinese and the Japanese. Clothing, customs, lifestyle and, psychology of the Koreans are also noticeably different. White cloths and a small black cap, covering only part of the head, are common attributes of the Koreans. It is hard to understand what provokes the isolation of this area, only imperceptively set apart geographically, but the distinction is nevertheless a real fact.

“Japanization” proceeded with great intensity during the past decade [1918-1928]. All the main industrial enterprises are in the hands of the Japanese; the Koreans constitute basically the agricultural population.

I crossed the peninsula going to the capital, Seoul, a large centre with half a million inhabitants where there was a large exhibition celebrating the 20-year-old union between Korea and Japan. According to an itinerary planned together with the consul general, I was to make a cross section through the entire peninsula so that I could become familiar with different crops, collect as many samples as possible and in a short time learn to understand the peculiarities of Korean agriculture.

A considerable portion of the Korean territory has still not been put under the plow. The interior part is represented by coniferous forests. The composition of the crops is mainly the same as that of the Japanese: rice and soyabeans. A large amount of Chinese “adzuki” beans in a remarkable variety of forms is harvested. The fruit plantations are represented mainly by Japanese persimmons (Diospyros kaki) and “ju-ju”. The latter fruit is widely distributed in China and Korea and used both in fresh and dried form. In the dried form it reminds one of the taste of dates and is frequently known under the name of “Chinese dates.”