Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1892-04-29
MINIATURE FARMS.
HOW JAPAN'S TEEMINa MIL
LIONS ARE FED.
a Ten Aero Plot is Considered a
Large Fnrm-Caretul Methods OF
Planting and Raising Crops
The Principal Food.
LII the land under civilization
in Japan is about 100000

1t is unnecessary to add that the farms
are small. The average farm is from
one to three acres, and ten-acre plot is
considered large farm. So many things
are done on the diminutive scale in
Japan. Space utilizing and territory
saving has been reduced to a fine art.
After surveying the japanese fields and
gardens it is easy to understand how
dwariing in horticulture originated ages
ago in this country. Tnc method so
long regarded by other nations as a
secret, was resortcd to US matter of ex-
pediency, if not of necessity, for the
limited space would not otherwise have
permitted variety of growths.
The methods of cultivation, the sue
cession of crops, and even the kind of
machinery used, are the same US they
were nearly 1000 years ago. In spite of
the agricultural limitations, no country
in the world produces so much per acre
rs japan. The limit of cultivation was
reached long ago, but by judicious use
of fertilizers, and a skill In farming that
amounts almost to genius, the same
average yield is obtainable year after
year.
The land is well suited to irrigation,
and the water, which is regarded as i'm.
pure by fastidious Europeans, is abundant.
Most of the land is made up of plains.
whose surface is well drained, being
washed by the water falling upon tho
hills and ranges from the back. The
numerous rivers and water courses which
cross the plains on their way to the sea
are utilized for purposes of irrigation.
The water is drawn to high elevations
from which it overilows the land in
channels.
In April the crops are in flourishing
condition, aud wheat, barley, rape and
corn form the principal part. All the
fields are planted with mathematical
precision, for the element of accuracy
enters into every net of the farmer, and
the fields must be pleasing in appear
ance. The cereals are astonishingly rcgu-
lar in position and growth. And even
the ears of corn appear in line as thew
come out. The cereals, whether planted
In single or double rows, grow in clus-
tiers of several stems, each cluster being
exactly in line; so that the eve detects
no irregularities whatever. Seed is too
valuable to waste and only rice is scat
tered broadcast. Four or five grains of
corn arc planted together upon ridges
equal distances apart, and generally in
rows. The intervening space is utilized
for growing beans, which are SO planted
that they can get space and light without
injury to the other crops. Land is so
valuable that no space is allowed for
grass plots, and it is curious thing that
no weeds are to be seen in any of the
cultivated plots in Japan. Every inch
OF ground must be put to the most
profitable use, and q seed borne by the
current or dropped by bird stands lit
tie show OF growing to maturity. So
thoroughly have the japanese got the
mastery of these pests that the soil
is entirely free from every trace of
them. The climate and the warm, hu-
mid atmosphere are particularly favora-
bic to the growth OF rusts and other
parasite forms, but they have also en-
tirely disappeared from the fields of ia
pan. A few narrow paths are made in
the fields where absolutely necessary, but
there are no roads, ana consequently no
room for wheeled vehicles or machines.
Almost all the work .of cultivation is
done by hand, and the tools are models
OF simplicity. The tool used for cut
ting barley or wheat consists of sharp
blade placed at right angles to the shaft,
which is about two feet long The corn
is cut very carefully, SO that the adioin
ing plants are not injured. Thrcshing.
too, is tedious process. There is no
room in the fields for drying sheaves, for
ftNa .,,1l l.
after harvest for other crops. The corn
sheaves aIe tied up in punches and Sc
curely fastened to houses, fences and
trees. The cars are always downward,
| SO that the rain may run off. During the
harvest season the caves and yerandahs
of every village house are stacked about
with neat bundles of grain that will be
beaten out as soon as dry. The ears are
knocked against pole, placed few feet
above the ground, and the grain falls
upon the mats placed below to receive it.
The cereals are put through sort of
primitive winnower, or thrown I'D for
the wind to carry away the husks.
lunches OF corn or rice straw are drawn
through hackles and gathered upon mats.
The rice straw is used in the manufac-
lure OF tough paper that has great
sale in Japan.
In July the fields are made ready for
the rice, after being properly banked up
and irrigated. Rice is n staple, but is
regarded as luxury among the farmers,
being used only on holidays or in case OF
illness. If patient Is in critical con-
dition he is permitted to have rice.
"What, 80 ill that he must have rice2"
is asked in sympathy, and the patients
case is indeed alarming when this grain
is resorted to rs diet.
Sericulture is of course an important
industry and affords employment for
women and children. The Japan .se
cocoon is excelled in quality only by the
French. In July the cocoons may be
seen hanging about the houses to dry
after they nave been removed from the
branches of the mulberry. Beans of
many varieties are raised, for they grow
easily, and form principal article of
| food, whether green half rine natural