The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1906-05-08
Copyright, 1906, by Joseph T. EowIes
Copyright in Great Britain
ALI Rights KcscrVcd.)
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not thought of visiting Java, but we
heard so much of il from returning
tourists as we journeyed through
Japan. China and the Philippines that
we turned aside from Singapore ana
devoted two weeks To 4 trip through
the island. Steamers run to both
Batavia (Which is the capital and
the metropolis of the western end Of
the islandD and Soerabaj2, the chief
city Of eastern Java and 4 railroad
about 400 miles long connects these
two cities. \ tour Of the islands
can thus be made in from ten to 1if-
teen days, according to connections,
but unless one is pressed for time,
he can pTofitably employ Il month OF
more in this little island, attractive by
nature and made still more beautiful
by the hands of man. There are
excellent hotels 1t TIN principal stop
ping places. and the rates arc more
modcrato than we have found else
where in the Orient.
The lover Of mountain scenery finds
much IN Java to satisfy the eye. The
railroad from Batavia to Soerabaja
twice crosses the range, and as the
trains run only in the daytime, one
can, without leaving the ears, see
every variety Cf tropical growth, from
swamp to mountain top, from Cocoa
nut groves and rice fields on the low
land to the tea gardens and coffee
plantations of the higher attitudes, not
TO speak of mountain streams, gorges
and forests
Java is the home Of the volcano anG
contains more of these fiery reservoirs
than any other equal area on the
etrths surface. While only about
600 miles in length, and from 60 to
120 miles in width, it has. according
TO Wall4ce, 3S volcanoes. some of
them still smoking. and ali OF them
interesting relics Of a period when
the whole island was deluged With
molten lava. Some assert that al
most all OF Java has been built up by
the eruptions OF volcanoes. Two e1-
tinct volcanoes. Satak and Ciedeh, can
be seen from BuitenZorg, and from
the top Of Boro Boedoer temple nine
volcanoes can be counted when the
declares, in his description Of this
temple. although not 50 many were
visible the day we visited there.
It is emily % years ago that I>raka-
tau. which stands upon an island OF
the same name in the Strait of Sunda.
just off the east end Of Java. startled
the world with an eruption seldom
edualled in history. II began smok-
ing in May. 1883. ana continued ac-
tive until the 10Th Of August follow
ing, when explosions took place winch
were heard ut Batavia. 50 miles dis
tant, and the next day the explosions
Were still more gigantic. being auulble
1000 miles away. The loss OF life
caused by the mud and ashes and by
the waves set in motion by the efup-
ton was officially estimated a over
5000. Various scientific societies, IS
reciaIy Of Holland. England ana
France, made exhaustive reports on
the krakatau eruption. The koyal
Society of Great Britain estimated that
the volume Of smoke arose 10 q helght
OF seventeen miles and that several
cubic miles Of mud. lava and stones
poured forth from the crater 10 lhe
ruin Of a large arel.\ At one pace
the water rose more than - feet ana
threw a Steamship over the h2rDof-
head into : Chinese market. but under
the influence OF a tropical sun ana
abundant moisture the slopes OF Lhe
volcano soon grew green AGAIN, anu
now the natives speed their sklliS
through the adjacent waters and the
inhabitants of this volcano belt i've
and move with little thought OF the
mighty forces which have 50 often
Gemonstrated their powers in the
archipelago.
II one IS Interested in the study OF
trees, plants and flowers he can en-