The morning call., 1893-02-26

dam of the little gutter orditch is broken
open and the whole bed gut under water.
The peasant in his quaint faded-blue cot.
ton kimono and tight trousers, places the
seed la n winnowing basket and sows 1t by
hand. Sometimes the rice seed is soaked
in water two or three days before planting.
In few days the seed sprouts and then the
water serves a double purpose, for 1t not
only keeps the young shoots moist. bnt
also prevents the seedlings from being DE-
str0yed by the birds.
SO soon as the water evaporates or soaks
into the earth a fresh supply is run in from
the gutter. Usually this is done every
night, as then the water affords the tender
shoots protection from the cold.
About June transplanting takes place,
and the young plants are removed from the
seeded to the field, which has been pre-
pared for them already and lies under
water. The seedlings are pulled up and
lied In handfuls. Then one man. carrying
them under his arm, begins TO throw them
into the field wherever they are required.
Then women and children stand ready to
receive the little sprouts and rapidly re-
plant them In small punches Of five or six.
This work is eminently disagreeable, as
the planters stand up 10 their knees In
water and mud, but practice has made them
wonderfully expert at it. A week or two
later the rice springs ND, and surely never
was n more exquisite show OF tender en-
eraid green than is seen in these fields of
young grain. About every fortnight the
peasant goes over the hel1s planting more
firmly any lunches that may have become
ioosened, and noting the growth 81 the
plants.
Nothing moro saving watering, hoeing
between the rows and little wedding rs
necessary until harvest lime. In Septem-
Der the rice blossoms and reaping takes
place any time from The end of September
to the beginning OF November. When the
grain is ripe it is cut off close TO the ground
with short sick les, as the straw itself is
very valuable. Then the TiDe grain Is hung
upon poles and left to dry or brought home
to thrash.
Frequently it is not husked until re-
CURED, then it is put into wooden trough
and pounded with wooden pestle: some
times a small mortar is used. When ma
chinery is employed it is of the very SIM
Dlest. crudest description possible and
exceedingly clumsy.
Japanese rice is much more highly es-
teemed than either Indian or Jayanese
In order to preserve fine appearance 1t has
become customary of late years 10 export 1t
unhuled, as under these circumstances the
kernels look much hands0mer.
As has been said before the principal
requisite in rice cultivation is irrigation,
and this the Japanese have brought to an
extraordinary state Of perfection, while
their system of fertizing and manurlng
Generally the rice lands lie falIow under
water all during the long winter months;
though If the soil be very strong and the
climate mild beans. barley or wheat nay be
planted after the rice crop has been har-
vested. Most sowing done by the Japanese
Is either row or terrace planting. Their
agricultural implements are very rough and
simple; the pillow used to-day is the same
as that employed centuries ago. lin the
time of the Pharoahs," says Rein.
At the front end Of a beam is a sort Of
yoke attachment for the horse or bullock
At The other end crooked wooden piece
points backward. and the lower end of this
forms the breast and ends in an irOn-pointed
plows.sare. There is neither coulter, foreplOw
or lOamboard. and as il can neither plow
deeply Dor regularly it is not much
used. In place Of blowing the ground 1t Is
very thoroughly worked with the hoe. which
is undoubtedly the most valuable tool the
japanese peasant possesses. It is Of two
or three varieties-the fOur-tined iron hoe,
tile i've and seven tined bamboo hoe with
curious radlatlng prODgs, and so on until IT
develops into the ordinary rake form.
The harrow Is simply large rake and
consists of board studded with iron spikes
or nails. a pair Of handles joined together
by cross beam and a couple Of wooden
shafts complete the whole structure.
Wagons and wheelbarrows are almost un-
known. Everything is carried In baskets
huns on poles lad across the shoulders OF
one man, or if too heavy for that two men
support 1t between them.
a sor, of large bamboo comb is used TO
thrash the grain. or sometimes il is simply
struck against the top edge of barrel or
tub, or the grain may be stamped ont. The
rice field is the most characteristic feature
of Japanese scenery. While 1t lies under
water it is the haunt of countless water
fowl. and nothing could be more lonely or
desoate- looking. IL is entirely deserted.
save for here and there a thrifty farmer
who is going through his fields. hoe in hand,
pressing down a loosened bunch here, or
letting in little more water there.
As an individual the rice farmer is mar
row-minded, ignorant. honest. cheerful,
most commercially industrious, thrifty and
accompanying Beyond all doubt these
men are the backbone of the country and
represent the best wealth of Japan.
HELEN GREGORY FLEsHER, MA.