Sci-tech Periodicals and the Introduction of Western Forestry Science in the Late Qing Dynasty: Based on the Investigation of Gezhi Compilation and Agricultural Journal

The introduction of western forestry science in the late Qing Dynasty experienced a process shifting from less to more, from shallow to deep, and from the surface to the inside. The sci-tech periodicals were an important carrier for the introduction of western forestry science during this period. The Gezhi Compilation was the first periodical publishing popular science articles on forestry, while the Agricultural Journal introduced more intensively western forestry science. The two journals focused more on introducing forestry knowledge and principles, but less on the connotation and research on forestry. The introduction of western forestry science in this period was mainly in a literal manner of introduction and translation, which was just staying on paper and lost touch with China’s reality. This situation did not get changed fundamentally until a large number of foreign students returned home.