清代中晚期山地广种玉米之动因

16世纪初玉米由美洲传入我国。清代中晚期,玉米在我国长城以南、青藏高原以东范围内不宜传统五谷的山田坡地获得普遍推广和大规模种植。促成此期玉米在我国山地广泛种植的主要动因有四:一是玉米耐旱、耐寒、喜沙质土壤,生物特性适合山地的气温、水利和土壤条件;二是清代乾、嘉、道时期垦荒政策的刺激;三是山区外来人口对山地所有者的利益诱惑;四是市场对玉米的逐步认可和在价格上对玉米生产的刺激。

Causes for Large Scale Corn Planting in Mountainous Regions from Middle to Late Qing Dynasty

Corn was first introduced into China in early 16th century.From middle to Late Qing Dynasty,it was extended and planted widely in China in vast areas which was south to the Great Wall and east to the Qing-zang Plateau land,with its focus on mountainous regions with high altitude and unfavorable conditions for planting traditional "five cereals",namely rice,two kinds of millet,wheat and beans.There are four factors accounting for this phenomenon.First,with its three unique biological attributes,corns can adapt well to the temperature,irrigation works and soil in mountainous regions.Second,the policy on reclaiming wasteland implemented during the Qian Long,Jia Qing and Dao Guang periods of the Qing dynasty greatly encouraged corn planting.Third,the owners of the mountains were enticed by the contractors from outside the mountains.Finally,corn was gradually accepted by the market and sold at a profitable price.