The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-08-14
AMERICAN WEED
FOR THE JAPS
Representative of the Mikado's Coy
eminent in Richmond.
INVESTIGATING TOBACCO TRADE
The Natives of the Far Eastern Island
Empire Arc Taking Great
Interest III Asri-
culture.
INVESTIGATING TOBACCO TRADE

Oh. 1keda, who arrived IN the city yes
terday as a representative OF the japanese
Government, sent TO study Inc aSFicui-
t1lre OF this country, talks most interest,"
ingiy of the products of America IN COM
parison with those OF Japan. -. speoh-
ing of our tobacco trade with Japan. ne
said that $4,000 pounds OF the American
product would be shipped TINS year III
Ikeda said the people Of his country were
now taking great interest IN zee ~
noInical production of agricultural pro
ducts. H.,
Dr.. lkeda says that the farmers NY
mostly on barley, as 1t Is the cheapest OF
,ha nro6,,cts raised by them. The price
of rice for 800 pounds is Is yen. eanai 10
$3.50. while the price of barely IS Only
yen, equal TO S3-J- a., r,,-
The farmers raise barley in the sum
mer months and rice IN the WINTER. mn
The price OF wheat is ~ yen 1of 'V'
pounds, equal to $500.
BUT LITTLE CORN.
DR.. 1keda says that corn IS oI's
IN small quantities and is called louuei
corn in Japan. but IS used TO ,he =.
tent of its production for human food Il
is very high and few of the farmers are
able 10 use 1t themselves. The iarsesS
quantity Of corn is raised near the clty Oh
Toxic, while small quantities are ra-seo
in the central portion of Japan.
Speaking Of cotton. DR.. lkeda said the
farmers raised it mostly for their pr
yate use only. He said that its fibre is Very
Short and il IS not as lasting as the
American product The Japanese COZ
ton is called ko chaser. The variety ana
color OF the product is very peculiar.
Large quantities of Arne1icagl-raised cot
ton are shipped to Japan, where ii is man
nfaciured into cloth.
THE AMERICAN WEED.
Very large quantities of leaf tobacco
are shipped from this country every
month. Oniy about 12t1e.oSI lbs. Will be
raised in Japan. The coior OF this to-
bscco. said DR. Ikeda. is OF red brown.
and has no good aroma. There is little or
no elasticity in the Japan tobacco. 1t IS
very brittle; dries very quickly and IS
difficult 10 manufacture. For this reason
The japanese people are exceedingly tond
OF the American product.
There are only three large tobacco manu-
factories in Japan, they being those OF
Mural & Brother. of kyoto: Iwaga 81 Co.,
Toxic, and Ezoye & Co, of Toxic.
What is known as the japanese Cut
Ter IS used mostly for smoking purposes,
and IS often used IN bamboo, silver-linee
PIPE Of about six inches long The zap
anese a-so smoke some Turkish tobacco.
THE PRESENT SYSTEM
The farmers alternate in tho planting of
1Italr crops IS etti lily idiSS a
summer crop Of tobacco, with a crop of
wheat. while during the second year they
will raise an upland crop OF rice, with a
crop OF barley. Sometimes clover and
oats are planted during the second year
DR.. 1keda is sent to America by the
japanese Government to study the agrl-
culture of this country. and especially the
raising Of tobacco in Virginia. He brings
letters firm the japanese Government Of
commentator 10 the Agricultural Depart
ment of the United States and to parties
in this CITY, He comes as the official re-
preventative of sthat country During his
stay in Richmond he will stop at No. $40
West Franklin Street.
After, Coz a time. giving his attention to
tobacco il this State. he will so further
South. there studying the growing Of cot
ton and other southern products
DR.. Ikeda is man OF prominence in his
country cultured and Intelligent