Why Chinese gardeners prized Canton mud, and farmers too – they literally traded dirt for gold. No wonder counterfeiters had a field day

• Soil dug from the bottom of fish ponds was known as Canton mud, and was prized by gardeners – it doesn’t clump when wet, allowing ventilation for plant roots
• Ink orchids thrive in it, as do water lilies and lotus. Not surprisingly, counterfeiters would pass off ordinary mud as the real thing to make a quick buck