H.Y.Moh And Cotton Planting Improvement In Modern China(1914-1943)

H.Y.Moh(1876-1943)was an agronomist,cotton spinning entrepreneur and government administrator in modern China.He devoted his life to the the improvement of cotton planting.The uniqueness of his multiple identity,theories and practices are the focus of this dissertation.This dissertation analyzes the development of cotton spinning in modern China.And this is the reason why H.Y.Moh chose to engage in the cotton planting improvement business.In the mid-nineteenth century,massive foreign cotton spinning products entered Chinese market.At the same time,Chinese cotton spinning was changing.Due to the reform of production methods,the consumption of commercial cotton has surged.The late Qing government and the early cotton spinning entrepreneurs began to try to introduce Gossypiumhirsutum.Becase the introduction work lacked of scientific guidance.The cotton planting improvement business in this period ended with failure.H.Y.Moh participated in the investigation work of the Northern Road Police,in 1907.He observed the decline of people’s livelihood in the Northwest region.So he decided to go to the United States to study agronomy.He hoped when returning home,he could be able to engage in China’s agricultural improvement.While in the US,H.Y.Moh often participated in internships and investigated.These experience helped H.Y.Moh understand the US agricultural situation.H.Y.Moh found that the development of American agriculture mainly depended on the assistance of the federal government,academia,and industry.Therefore,H.Y.Moh put forward his unique theories of agricultural improvement based on what he saw and learned in the US.On the one hand,H.Y.Moh appealed the Chinese government to establish cotton experiment stations across the country and hire agronomists to manage the agricultural improvement work.On the other hand,H.Y.Moh also advocated the common development of agriculture and industry.For example,H.Y.Moh appealed cotton spinning entrepreneurs to participate in cotton planting improvement business.H.Y.Moh believed that this could teach farmers some agricultural knowledge,technology,and also achieve the integration of old and new theories.H.Y.Moh’s cotton planting improvement business could be divided into two periods.1914-1927 is the first period of H.Y.Moh’s cotton planting improvement business.During this period,H.Y.Moh established the Mu’s cotton experiment station and chaired the Cotton Extension and Improvement Committee of the Chinese Cotton Mill Owner’s Association.H.Y.Moh was a cotton expert and cotton spinning entrepreneur,H.Y.Moh worked hard to promote the cooperation between the agronomy and enterprises.1928-1943 is the second period of H.Y.Moh’s cotton planting improvement business.In this period,H.Y.Moh was a government administrator and cotton expert.H.Y.Moh mainly promoted the cooperation between the government,agronomists and farmers.H.Y.Moh used the power of government to promote the cotton planting improvement business.He successfully established a bridge between agronomists and farmers which promoted the development of Chinese cotton planting improvement during Anti-Japanese War.H.Y.Moh’s cotton planting improvement business has two distinctive characteristics.Firstly,his cotton planting improvement business has the characteristics of "cooperation between science and business".In specific work,H.Y.Moh used the interlinkage between the cotton spinning industry and the cotton planting to promote the cooperation between cotton spinning industry and agronomy.Which ensured H.Y.Moh’s cotton planting improvement business has stable funds and scientific guidance.Secondly,H.Y.Moh’s cotton planting improvement business also has the characteristics of "connecting agronomy and farmers".H.Y.Moh’s cotton planting improvement business was aimed to improve the people’s livelihood.While strengthening the team of agronomists and agricultural extension workers,H.Y.Moh tried his best to promote these personnel to go to the countryside.H.Y.Moh advocated the communication between agronomists and farmers.In the modern cotton planting improvement business,H.Y.Moh acted as a bridge for communication among the agronomy,enterprises,agricultural administration,and farmers.He tried to maximize the role of science and technology,markets,and policies in his cotton planting improvement business.H.Y.Moh played a very important and unique role in the modern cotton planting improvement business.The scientific theories and practical methods he embodied in the cotton planting improvement business provided enlightenment for the current agricultural development in China.