Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-06-13
JAPAN's STAPLE FOOD.
The Cultivation of Rice Described by
an American Consul.

The staple food of Japan is rice, and
it is grown throughout the empire, not
only wherever irrigation is possible, but
the species known as upland rice is
grown ON high, dry ground. needing no
irrigation, just as wheat is grown IN
America. In this consular district,
Nagasaki, says John NJ Birch, U. 5.
consul, the lowland variety of rice and
the best rice in Japan is grown, and IN
such quantities that it is becoming a
leading article of export. The fields in
which it is grown in this district are
small-the largest seldom being over
one-fourth of an acre in area-and lie
almost entilsly under water from the
time the seeding is planted III May or
June until the ripened grain is harvest
ed in October or November. The water
30 necessary Is conducted to the fields,
which have raised borders, by means OF
conduits from numerous streams, or, in
times of drought, from basins, which
have been constructed to retain the con-
tents of these streams flooded du ring
ihe rainy season. The sides of the num-
erous hills surrounding this city are
laid out in terraces, and into the levels
which are intended for rice, the water
collected on the higher grounds is led
by conduits, the quantity being regu-
lated by means Of dams provided with
flood gates, so as TO let on or shut off at
pleasure. On the level plains in the
interior of the island of Keirshin, irrega-
ton, however, is not so easy, the farmers
being compelled to pump the water to
the higher level of their fields from the
streams or reservoirs. The pump in
universal use resembles a water wheel,
or steamers paddle wheel, and is
made to revolve by q man ascending the
float boards.
In the spring, about the month Of
March, the fields, which have been left
without cultivation during the winter
season, are dug up and begin to be pre-
pared for rice sowing. In digging the
ground the farmer uses for the purpose
mattock-shaped agricultural imple-
ment universally used in Japan. This
implement is used as our laborers use
the mattock, or the blade may be fast
ened to a wooden beam, thus forming a
pillow, which is drawn by horse or an
OK. The broken ground is thea
thoroughly saturated with liquid man
ure, consisting of all sorts of refuse,
such as night soil mixed with bathing
water, rotten grass, bamboo leaves, and
when dried by the sun the ground is
again dug up and flooded with water to
the depth of three inches. Through the
slush is drawn an agricultural imple-
ment somewhat resembling harrow,
for the purpose of disintegrating the
soil and thoroughly mixing the manure
with it. The soil is now ready 10 re-
ceive the seedlings, which have been
grown from the seed rice. The seed
rice being soaked until ready TO sprout,
is sown in very heavily MANFRED patches
Of ground, covered with water during
the night, and drained of during the
day; and when the sprouts are six inches
high, which is in the month of MAY,
they are transplanted into the prepared
fields as shallowly as possible 1.-THE num- 4
Der depending on the quality of the
ground in tufts of several plants, about 1
six inches apart, and arranged in such I
way that all the roots are of the same 4
length. The work is done by all the I
members who are able to wade about in I
the water The rice sprouts thus plant
81 require a great deal of manuring and
before they put forth the
ipened ear. 1t is estimated that from
he planting time until the harvest, in
the fields are hoed once
Every two weeks, in order that they may
be kept free from weeds, water plants,
tic. When the ear is about to burst
orth the earth must be drawn up to the
'oots, and at the same time the plants
must be heavily MANFRED, which is done
~ the farmer pouring ON the roots of
zach tuft liquid manure, consisting of a
mixture of everything whichis supposed
o possess fertilizing qualities, but of
which night soil is the principal in
Tedient.