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346 ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY

Kiar-gsu are the chief silk-producing proiinces in the Yangtze
basin, white silk being obtained in the latter and yellow silk in
the former. But, as elsewhere in China^ sericulture is in a
backward condition, and it has been repeatedly said that Chinese
silk might be greatly improved by even slightly better methods of
rearing the silkworm. Until recently no attention was paid to
modem measures for eradicating disease, while the antiquated
methods employed in reeling the silk contributed to a considerable
increase In the amount of waste. Schools of sericulture have now
been established, and, as in Japan, the results are beneficial, though
over so large an area progress will necessarily be slow.

Tea is grown mainly in the provinces of Anhwei, Kiangsi, Hupeh,
and Hunan, but some is also produced in Szechwan. Though both
black and green tea may be obtained from the same plant, the
differences between them being due to the method of preparation,
some lands produce a leaf more suitable for the manufacture of
the one* and some for the manufacture of the other. In the Yangtze
basin, Anhwei is the centre of production of green teas, but from
the other provinces mentioned black tea mainly is procured. Han-
kow is the chief market for the latter, and Hangchow, Ningpo, and
Kiukiang, for the former.

Cotton is now extensively cultivated in the valley of the Han,
in the lowlands- of Hupeh,, Hunan, and Kiangsi, in Kiangsn,. and in
the southern part of Anhwei; and it is from these districts, and
more especially from Hupeh and Kiangsu, that the greater, part of
tjje Chinese output of raw cotton is obtained. It generally feas a
short staple, but the best varieties are whiter and softer than Indid&f'
especially in the Yangtze basin where they are superior to those
gr^wtn farther north.. The demand for it has increased greatly
•within recent years, and there has been a considerable extension of
the cotton-growing area, but it is impossible to say how much is
actually produced, as a large and increasing quantity is consumed
within the country itself. It is clear, however, that China comes
next to the United States and India as a producer of raw cotton.
The greater part of the export goes to Japan, but a certain amount
now its way to Europe and even to America. The average

yield per acre in CMna for the years 1920-25 has been estimated
at over 220 lit, and it is said that in the Yangtze basin between
3Q§ 400 Ifa. per acre' may fee obtained. The quality, however,



	346 ECONOMIC GEOGRAPHY Kiar-gsu are the chief silk-producing proiinces in the Yangtze basin, white silk being obtained in the latter and yellow silk in the former. But, as elsewhere in China^ sericulture is in a backward condition, and it has been repeatedly said that Chinese silk might be greatly improved by even slightly better methods of rearing the silkworm. Until recently no attention was paid to modem measures for eradicating disease, while the antiquated methods employed in reeling the silk contributed to a considerable increase In the amount of waste. Schools of sericulture have now been established, and, as in Japan, the results are beneficial, though over so large an area progress will necessarily be slow. Tea is grown mainly in the provinces of Anhwei, Kiangsi, Hupeh, and Hunan, but some is also produced in Szechwan. Though both black and green tea may be obtained from the same plant, the differences between them being due to the method of preparation, some lands produce a leaf more suitable for the manufacture of the one* and some for the manufacture of the other. In the Yangtze basin, Anhwei is the centre of production of green teas, but from the other provinces mentioned black tea mainly is procured. Han- kow is the chief market for the latter, and Hangchow, Ningpo, and Kiukiang, for the former. Cotton is now extensively cultivated in the valley of the Han, in the lowlands- of Hupeh,, Hunan, and Kiangsi, in Kiangsn,. and in the southern part of Anhwei; and it is from these districts, and more especially from Hupeh and Kiangsu, that the greater, part of tjje Chinese output of raw cotton is obtained. It generally feas a short staple, but the best varieties are whiter and softer than Indid&f' especially in the Yangtze basin where they are superior to those gr^wtn farther north.. The demand for it has increased greatly •within recent years, and there has been a considerable extension of the cotton-growing area, but it is impossible to say how much is actually produced, as a large and increasing quantity is consumed within the country itself. It is clear, however, that China comes next to the United States and India as a producer of raw cotton. The greater part of the export goes to Japan, but a certain amount now its way to Europe and even to America. The average yield per acre in CMna for the years 1920-25 has been estimated at over 220 lit, and it is said that in the Yangtze basin between 3Q§ 400 Ifa. per acre' may fee obtained. The quality, however,