Library

Mudan Flower (Paeonia suffruticosa) The *Erya* records: Mudan is the king among flowers, possessing five colors. On the night of the Winter Solstice, dig away the soil at the base of the roots, apply "Shiyi" (mineral deposits/scale from water vats), and cover with fertile soil to promote vigorous growth.

Shaoyao Flower (Paeonia lactiflora) The *Erya* records: Shaoyao is the assistant among flowers. If divided and planted in early spring, the roots will enlarge; plants with fewer lateral roots will have thicker stems and abundant blooms. Flowers that are white have white roots; flowers that are red have reddish roots.

Ruixiang Flower (Daphne odora) Water with lye ash juice to remove earthworms, or mound the roots with lacquer residue, or irrigate with chicken or goose manure water to ensure lush growth. This flower dislikes humidity and fears direct sunlight; its roots must not be exposed.

Haitang Flower (Malus spectabilis, hanging silk variety is superior) Irrigate the roots with lees water on the Winter Solstice so that flowers will flourish the following year.

Moli Flower (Jasminum sambac) Mound with chicken manure for vigor; then pour boiling water over chicken feathers. Keep in a warm room during the Winter Solstice, protected from wind and smoke, to prevent death. This plant fears cold and loves sun; another view holds it should not be placed near the bed as it attracts centipedes.

Shiliu (Punica granatum) Select straight branches, thumb-thick and about one chi long, plant in soil leaving two cun above ground, and water to root. For丛生 (clumping) varieties, press lateral branches touching the ground with soil; they will root the next year and can be separated for replanting. Alternatively, cut branches, burn two cun of the end, and insert into soil. The "Sanba" variety from Heyin contains only thirty-six seeds.

Yinxing (Ginkgo biloba) Female fruits have two ridges, male fruits have three; planting both ensures fruiting. Planting by a pond allows reflection to induce fruiting. This tree bears fruit without visible flowering; people say the instantaneous blooming cannot be seen. Another theory suggests it blooms at night and fruits immediately, which seems plausible.

Pipa (Eriobotrya japonica) Usually, mound the root crown with weak, wet ash (leached) to produce many flowers and large fruits.

Ganju (Citrus reticulata) In October, bury citrus trees with branches to a depth of one chi, keeping the trunk exposed, inverted. When buds grow in spring, dig pits nearby and irrigate with manure water. By December, irrigate around the roots with heavy manure water three times. In spring, irrigate with water twice more, resulting in abundant flowers and fruits.

Mei (Prunus mume) Suitable for dense planting. Fruit yield is higher near pools, streams, corners, and depressions with water. Grafting Mei onto Peach makes the wood brittle. When transplanting large Mei trees, remove tips, expand the root ball, and irrigate with ditch mud; survival is guaranteed. Harvest Mei flowers when first opening, dry in shade. Decoct for children with measles that fail to erupt or rise, promoting rapid eruption. Smelling Lamei Hua (Chimonanthus praecox) may cause nasal polyps.

Tao (Prunus persica) In August or September when peaches ripen, dig wide, deep pits at corners. Place wet cow manure in the pit, cover with soil. Wash selected pits thoroughly, place pointed end down, cover with thick soil about one chi deep. Sprouts emerge in late spring; transplant with mud into fertile soil. Grafting Apricot or Plum is excellent. Tao is the essence of the Five Elements, repels demons, and is called Immortal Wood. Soaking Taohua (Peach Blossom) in wine and drinking benefits complexion and cures myriad diseases. Excessive fruiting causes dropping; striking the trunk horizontally with a knife stops this. On She Day, pounding under the tree secures fruit. All fruits behave similarly. Women wearing heavy makeup while planting may result in fragrant flowers but loose flesh.

Li Xing (Prunus salicina & Prunus armeniaca) Li should be sparsely planted, suitable for north-south rows. Xing should not be dense; thriving near residences. Tao fruits in three years, peaks in five, declines in seven, dies in ten. At six years, girdling the bark to exude gum extends life by five years. Grafting Li branch onto Tao yields red, sweet peaches; grafting Tao onto Persimmon yields Golden Peach; grafting Tao onto Li yields Li-Tao. On Spring Equinox, cut Pear branches like crutches, char ends with fire and hot iron to seal sap, plant two chi deep. Only plantable on Spring Equinox. Grafting Pear onto Mulberry yields crisp, sweet wood.

Putao (Vitis vinifera) Vines spread vigorously. Prefer wetlands, irrigate with rice wash water, use trellises. Bundle roots with grass to deter snakes/insects; avoid musk. Method: Plant near Jujube trees. Drill a hole in Jujube in spring, thread Putao branch through. As it fills the Jujube, cut the excess, allowing it to bear large, sweet fruit supported by the Jujube.

Huajiao (Zanthoxylum bungeanum) Use unopened seeds, mix with fine soil, seal in clean bottle, invert on ground, dry in south eaves with sun exposure. Sow in beds in early spring for uniform germination.

Sangshen (Morus alba fruit) Select Morus alba 'Lu' variety with large leaves and sparse fruit. White Mulberry has large leaves but no fruit; silkworms feeding on it produce thick, strong cocoons but noisy sound. Propagate by layering mature branches into prepared soil, fertilizing like vegetables. Fertilize every chi of height; after one year, reach four-five chi. Transplant in early spring, fertilize roots. Dig up in autumn, fertilize roots, mound soil. Sowing seeds is inferior to layering. Do not weed for over a thousand days. Trees fruiting before leafing produce fewer leaves. Cooked Sangshen darkens hair/beards. Root bark infusion washes eyes effectively.

Huai (Styphnolobium japonicum) Suitable for courtyards, gates, and paths. Prune roundly; grows canopy-like within years. Green shade in summer, fragrant throughout. Harvest unopened flowers for yellow dye. Mature pods are Huaijiao, harvested after frost for medicine. Huai is the essence of the Void Star, brings auspiciousness, and promotes longevity when consumed. (Formula see Xiuzhen section.)

Zhu (Bambusoideae) In mid-January, harvest southwest-facing roots and stems, remove tips/leaves, plant in northeast corner of garden, two chi deep. Avoid excessive watering to prevent drowning; protect from wind. Shoots in the first year are trampled/killed; slightly larger shoots in second year are killed; third year becomes mature bamboo. Alternative: Bamboo can be planted anytime during continuous rain. Bamboo prefers southwest orientation. Song says: No fixed time for planting, move after rain. Retain old soil, remember southern branches. Old bamboo produces "rice" (parasitic fungus/concretions) and dies. Cut off infected root, leave three chi of healthy ground, remove nodes, irrigate with manure to stop further infection.