"The chuan string is made in Jiangdong and Huainan from split bamboo, and in Bashan and the gorges from twisted mulberry-bark. In Jiangdong one jin is a large string, half a jin a
"The finest ginseng grows in Shangdang, middling in Baekje and Silla, and inferior in Goguryeo. That grown in Zezhou, Yizhou, Youzhou, and Tanzhou is useless as medicine — let alon
"Tea is a fine and noble tree of the South. It may stand one or two feet tall, or reach many dozens of feet. In the mountain gorges of Bashan, there are trees so thick that two men
"In Huainan Circuit, Guangzhou is best, Yiyang and Shuzhou next, Shouzhou lower, and Qizhou and Huangzhou lowest."
"For tea of rare freshness and rich fragrance, pour but three bowls; for that of the second grade, five. With five guests, serve three bowls; with seven, five. With fewer than six,
"The finest powder is fine as rice-grains; the inferior is coarse as water-chestnuts."
"For one sheng of boiling water, use one fangcun-spoon of tea powder. If you like it thin, reduce it; if you crave strength, increase it."
"On rainy days do not pick; on clear days with clouds do not pick; only on perfectly clear days pick."
"The pestle and mortar, also called dui, are best when they have long been in constant use."
"Those planted without firm rooting rarely flourish. The method is like growing melons: after three years the leaves may be gathered."