Qing Dynasty Memorial Compilation: Agriculture. Environment

Author: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences; First Historical Archives of China
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-08-01
Features: Archives are authentic history. The socio-economic structure of the Qing Dynasty, like previous feudal dynasties, was based on agriculture and centered around it. Although capitalist elements had emerged during that time, overall social productivity had not yet surpassed medieval levels, making it a feudal landlord state with a self-sufficient small-scale agricultural economy as its foundation. The importance of agriculture to the Qing Dynasty is evident. This book compiles Qing Dynasty archives preserved by the First Historical Archives of China. It examines documents such as imperial edicts from the Qing court and military affairs office, (red-sealed memorials), (recorded memorials), and other records. From over 100,000 memorial reports related to Qing Dynasty meteorology and closely linked agricultural production, it selects and extracts information on agricultural policies and systems, local reclamation, farming practices, crop varieties, planting methods, crop growth conditions, agricultural disaster situations and prevention measures. Special attention is given to collecting reports by officials on the agricultural conditions of their jurisdictions, arranged chronologically and systematically. This book is a valuable reference for scholars studying Qing Dynasty agriculture, land use, land cover, and climate and environmental change history.