The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-14
CROWDED JAPAN.
How Al, 900, 900 People Are
Supported.
The Time Is Near When Vast Num-.
bers Must Emigrate to Pacific
Islands and America.

The economic problem OF how TO relieve The
pressure OF an increasing population upon linz
tied means Of subsistence has not YET been
solved 10 Japan. temporary, If not perma-
nent. relief is promised In the attempt OF the
Government to encourage emigration 10 foreign
countries. Already thousands have settled in
the Hawaiian and other islands OF the Pacific
and they are steadily seeking their way into
the west coast ports of the two Americas.
Japan Is so cut up by mountain ranges and
almost impossible cliffs that only one eighth of
the whole area is suitable for cultivation. The
country Is so small and he population so great
that the wonder is that the people have man
aged to exist at all. But TO the fact that they
have lived and thriged their enormous numbers
b ar testimony.
The high cultivation of the land, the yege-
tartan diet of the people, together with the
remarkable "staying power" of the race, have
made the matter OF existence comparatively
easy in ages past. But Notwithstanding the
power of resistance, which is characteristic of
the people, there must b. limit to their en-
curance. The rapid increase OF the population,
together with the drain upon The resources of
I'd country, would surely in few years have
resulted in nothing less than contest with
scarcity, II not an actual fight against famine.
But for the Or, sent, al least, the calamity has
been averted by the emigration of thousands OF
coolies. which bias proven the best thing not
only for Japan and the emigrants themselves,
but for The new countries.
The decrease of population in the Pacific
islands makes 1t impossible 10 obtain neces-
sary ana efficient labor at home, and the re.
crutng of the industrial forces by he ener-
sc ic and skilled Japanese agricultural laborers
Is just what is needed. Large companies are
emlgrating nearly every month under contract
TO r. main from three 10 five years. Owing to
the demand for labor and HE efficiency of the
japanese the terms OF the contract are particu-
larry easy. The expenses of the voyage both
ways are generally aid. and the emIg ant has
year If dissatisfied. He receives better wages
and is enabled 10 live in greater comfort than
at home. OtheT countries have responded to
Japan. and just how great the exodus will be-
come within the next I W years may depend
largely upon the inducemr nts offered
ne land under cultivation In Japan is about
100000 acres, upon the ploouct of which
Al, 100000 must be fed. 1t Is unnecessary TO
add that the farms are small. The average
farm is from one 10 three acres and a lO-acre
plat Is considered a large farm. The methods
OF cultivation, the succession of crops and
even the kind of machinery used. are the same
as they were nearly 1000 years ago. In spite
OF the agricultural limitations no country in the
world produces so much per acr as japan.
The limit OF cultivation was reached long ago
but by jndiciOns use OF fertilizers and skill
III farming that amounts almost TO a genius the
same average yield is obtained year after year.
The land Is well sui ed TO irrigation and the
water is abundant. Most OF the land Is made
up OF plains. The numerous rivers aud water
courses which cross the plains on their way 10
the sea are utilized for purposes of Irrigation
The water ls drawn to high elevations from
which II Overf1Ows the land in channels. Land
is So valuable that no space is allowed for
grass plats, and 1t is cuiious thing that no
weeds are 10 be seen in any of the cultivated
plats in Japan. Every inch Of ground must be
put TO the most profitable use.
A few narrow paths are made In the fields
where absolutely necessary, but there are no
roads, and 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. There Is no room 10 tie
fields for drying sheaVes, for thu e. ound must
be used Immediately after harvest for other
crops. The corn sDeaVrs are lied up IN punches
and securely fastened To houses, fences and
trees. The ears are always placed downward
so that The rain may run off.
In July the first cTOuS are all harvested and
removed, and the fields are made ready for rice
After the surface of the ground is carefully
smoothed II Is covered fof depih of SIX inches
with water. The water is conducted into the
field OF The highest elevation In the neighbor-
hood, which II overfiows and then is carried to
the next field. a few Inches lower, aud on
through the whole series OF fields 10 the lowest
II by chance any of the fields cannot be wateled
In this way, another method is used. Water Is
thrown up to the required level by means of
treadWheels placed In the channels built for
the purpose. The weight of the men who tread
the wheels Is sufficient TO throw The water IN
10 a considerable height.
The rice plants are pulled out of their seed
beds and several stems are punched together
and pressed into fhe mud. Tue plants are ir-
regularly placed. 10 allow as abundant growth
this aquatic grain and III the mud and water
halfway up 10 their knees all day long while
the blistering rays of the sun pour down upon
their bare-heads. After few weeks The plants
are ready TO be puddled. The mud must be
pressed around each bunch OF plants. and
weeks are spent by The growers in the slushy
fields again. The wafer is gradually stopped,
and by the time the rice corn is ready TO be cut
the fields are fairly dry.
Each bunch is cut with hand sickle after
the manner of barley wheat, and the rice
cOrns are knocked off by hand The Grain 10
bundled aud carried from the field by the men
women, or strapped on the back and sides of a
pony. Carts or other conyeyances are not
used for the reasons already given. The rice
produced amounts TO about 17o,OOOOOO
bushels per year, or about four and a half
bushels per capita. 1t is second in quality only
TO that grown in Java or the CarolinaS and
next TO silk, is the principal export OF Japan
The japanese raise barley, wheat, milet rye
beans rapeseed, eggplant. lilies and diakous
for local use, and silk, tea and rice Tor eXporta-
tion.-TokiO correspondent New York Tribune.
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