Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1875-06-29
IMPROVED JAPAN.

Gen. Horace CapTOn, formerly 81 the
head Of the Agricultural Bureau, has Just
returned to this country from Japan
Five years ago the japanese Government
applied to the American Government for the
services Of Gen. Capron to bring his agricul-
tural knowledge to bear upon The Islands Of
YezzO, Jesse, or Hakaido, one Of the group
Of islands which form the japanese ter
ritory. Il lies directly north Of the
main island, and almost all Of it be-
tween the 42d and 45th degrees of lati-
tude. The area Of the island is $4,000
square miles, equal to that Of Indiana. The
population, however, is very seanty, being
VariOusly estimated from 5000 by the New
American CyclOpedia to 100000 By Gen.
CsprOn. Even the latter figure IS wonder
fully small. The country has hitherto had
the reputation Of possessing a Siberian eli
mate. The English agents and traders
have misrepresented it as land
Of ice and Snow, Of rocky surface
and worthless soil. Current re-
port made it a desert. Hitherto there has
been no emigration from any part Of the
Empire to this spot. Fishermen have lived
upon its shores, but never penetrated into
the interior. In all the varied and event.
full history of the Empire, this vast terrific
~ has been quietly Ignored. The sea be
tween YeZzO and the main island pOurs
through theinaIrOW straight with the We
lOcity Of a whirlpool, ana discOuTages
Japanese adventure. Il was in the hope Of
doing something 10 populate the island
that the Government wished the services Of
Gen. Capron.
A Chicago Tribune reporter has had an
interview with Gen. Capr0n, Of which the
following is the substance:
Responsibilities was your position under
the government?
Gen. Capron-They had no Agricultural
Department, and an Office was made for me.
l was Commissioner and Adviser Of the
Governor.
RepOrter-Of whom did your party con-
sist
Gen. Capron-There we're a geolOgist,
mineralogist, a practical engineer, and
other scientific persons, who have remained
in the Empire.
Reporter-How did you find the climate
agree with the reports you had heard2
Gen. Capron-In no way. The climate
had been represented as uncomfortable. II
was said to be too cold for agricultural
purposes, and the season too short 70 give
any encouragement for trying to cultivate
anything. On the contrary, i found that
for at least nine years the thermometer had
never fallen as low as zero, and that the
climate was by no means as severe as that
of most Of this continent. From Japan
csc point of view it was cold, but from an
American mild-certainly warmer than the
New England States and Illinois. 1t re-
sembles that Of Ohio. The first frost in
| the lower end Of the island did not occur
until the 10Th Of October. It was reported
that frost had occurred on the 26th Of Sep
| tember, but that was at the extreme north
of the island. The winters were not severe.
A great deal of snow fell every winter, but
| the cold was never intense. The surround
| ing waters temper it.
RepOrter-What was your first step?
Gen. CaprOn-TO order a preliminary
survey Of the island, which was rich in re-
suits. Coal was found in vast deposits Of
millions of tons; navigable streams we've
encountered in close proximity to them,
and timber lands and rich valleys. Gold
had been vaguely spoken Of, too.
RepOrter-HOW far are the coal deposits
from the cOast2
Gen. CaprOr-The greatest coal-bed lies
about eighty miles from the coast. A river,
navigable for vessels drawing fourteen feet
of water, flows within ten miles Of the bed,
and a tramway Of that length alone would
be necessary TO make it available.
There is a range Of mountains running
north and south near the west coast. Par
allel with them is a long, deep valley,
| about thirty miles wide and several hun
dreds Of miles long, wonderfully fruitful,
and adapted to cultivation. It is wooded
| with some of the best timber in the world.
Reporter understand you took over
a number Of our domestic animals to in
troduce into the island. How did they
fare?
Gen. -CaprOn-I found it necessary to
make a station for my animals, cereals, and
| fruit trees IL Nippon. As l needed the an
/ finals and fruits fer tie settlements we es-
/ tablished, was able to send for them. As
emigration increased, tie demand for ami
mails, grain, and fruit trees was supplied
/ from the nursery.
Reporter-What did you take with you
in the way Of grain?
Gen. CaprOn--Everything grown in the
/ United States. All varieties Of corn and
wheat, grasses Of all varieties, and fruits
and berries.
RepOrter-How did the corn dc?
| Gen. Capron-Admirabiy It was late
when we put in the first crop, and l was
not sanguine Of success that season. But
it grew rapidly, matured, and yielded a
capital crop. The same success attended
every effort, and every variety l tried.
Reporter-And the wheat?
Gen. CaprOn-Did equally we'll. have
never seen any wheat in the United States
to surpass that which we raised on the Is
land Of YeZzO.
Reporer-Do all varieties Thrive equal
| ly?
Gen. Capron-Yes, even the most deli
cate. The wheat was seeded late in the
season, but, like the corn, agreeably disap-
pointed Us.
RepOrter-And the grasses tOO9
Gen. Capron-ClOver and other grasses
were not behind at all.
ReporteT-YO GU took some fruit trees, too,
did You not?
Gen. CaprOn-I took 10000 young trees
Of several yarieties-apples, pears, peache;
and cherries, and berries. also. Japan has NJ
fruit to speak Of. There are some poor
grapes and thai is all. The project Of in
PRODUCING fruit into Japan was rather de-
rided. Hitherto fruit raised there wa
without flavor. Our success in other di-
rectiOns was thought quite possible, but in
the matter Of fruit we were
told 10 expect nothing. However, Ue
set out 10000 fruit trees as scOr
as possible, and l had the satisfaction o.
raising some Of the finest fruit 1 ever saw il
my life in size and favor. The Bartlett
pears were Of extraordinary quality. The
first fruits we sent % the Emperor, whOwa,
surprised beyond measure at this new rev
citation Of the resources Of the barren Is
land Of YezzO. Apples and peaches wert
equally plentiful and well-tlavOred.
RepoTter-Did the berries repay you?
Gen. CaprOn-The strawberries of severa
varieties were simply perfection.
RepOrter--HOW successful were you IN
obtaining assistance.
Gen. CaprOn-I got all wanted when
landed. We had 500 carpenters at wOrk
building mills and factories, and as thes'
got into operation we were able to dispens'
with most of them.
Reporter-Did you rely on water-power
Gen. CaprOn-NO; we had steam anS
water both, and they were all doing al
they could attend to in a short space o
| time.
Observation-Disclosures TO the time you wen
there how were they of for Implements
Gen. Ca1rOn-They had but one nipple
ment-a little japanese spud or hoe, will
which to do everything. There was no al
! tempt at cultivation, and they needed ~