Yanpu 煙譜

Yanpu 煙譜 "Notes on tobacco" is a brief book on the cultivation and use of the tobacco plant (Nicotiana tabacum, Nicotiana rustica) written by Lu Yao 陸燿 (1721-1784), courtesy name Qinglai 青来 or Langfu 朗夫, from Wujiang 吳江, Jiangsu, finished in 1774. Lu also wrote books on calligraphy (Jinshi xubian 金石續編), on water conservation (Shandong yunhe bianlan 山東運河備覽), sweet potatoes (Ganshulu 甘薯錄), and the books Jinan xinyan 濟南信讞, Rencheng manlu 任城漫錄 and Daxue hechao 大學合抄. His collected writings are called Qiewenzhai wenchao 切問文抄, Koupan ji 扣槃集 and Qiewenzhai ji 切問文集.

Lu's book is not the oldest book on tobacco – which was Wang Shihan's 汪師韓 (b. 1707) Jinsilu 金絲錄 from 1737.

The text is divided into five parts, describing the origin of the plant and its introduction into China to specific regions, and then the cultivation (Shengchan 生產) and treatment of the leaves (Zhizao 制造) with particular specifications in each region of China. The third part describes the modes of consumption and the necessary tools (Qiju 器具). The fourth part is dedicated to the customs and habits around tobacco consumption (Haoshang 好尚), and the last chapter warns against harmful aspects (Yiji 宜忌). The text closes with a poem (Yancao ge 煙草歌).

Lu's texts is included in the series Zhaodai congshu 昭代叢書.

Apart from Lu Yao's book on tobacco, there another book with the same title, written by Cai Jiawan 蔡家琬 (1762-1835), courtesy name Shi'e 石峨, from Hefei 合肥, Anhui, and published in 1826. It is found in the series Baimei Shanfang jishang shu 拜梅山房几上書. It consists mainly of quotations from books like Wang Shizhen's 王士禛 (1634-1711) Xiangzu biji 香祖筆記, Wang Bu's 王逋 Yin'an suoyu 蚓庵瑣語, Shi Runzhang's 施閏章 (1618－1683) Juzhai zaji 矩齋雜記, the Shiwu bencao 食物本草, Zhang Chao's 張潮 Yu Chu xinzhi 虞初新志, and the books Rushi wowen 如是我聞 and Guitianji 歸田記.