Paich'ha as a Substitute for Boxwood.—

In the Gardeners' Chronicle for April 20, 1878, Mr. Jean van Volxem has drawn attention to a Chinese wood largely in use at Ningpo for wood-carving, and which he considers suitable for engraving purposes as a substitute for boxwood. Mr. W. M. Cooper, Her Majesty's Consul at Ningpo, has obligingly furnished me with the following information upon the subject:—"The tree and wood are common here; it is known as Pai-ch'ha (literally white tea or camellia). The Chinese language is a bad one for nomenclature, and the compound of two words has a different meaning to their primitives. The wood in universal use for book-blocks, wood-engravings, seals, &c. is that of the pear-tree, of which large quantities are grown in Shang-tung, and Shan-se especially. Pai-ch'ha is sometimes used as an indifferent substitute. Pai-ch'ha is a very white wood of fine fibre, without apparent grain, and cuts easily, is well suited for carved page 42 frames, cabinets, caskets, &c., of which large quantities are manufactured here for export. The tree itself resembles somewhat the Stillingia, but has a rougher bark, larger and thinner leaves, which are serrated at the edge, more delicate twigs, and is deciduous."

"Boxwood is known as Huangzang (literally yellow poplar). In the south of this province and Fuk-kien boxwood is grown principally for native furniture and export to Japan. It is prized on account of its durability and freedom from warping; it is sold by weight at prices varying from to 6 dollars (of 3s. 10d.) per picul of 133 lbs. English."

Mr. Cooper sent fruits of the Pai-ch'ha, which proved to be those of an undescribed species of Enonymus.