Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1909-08-06
Teaching Thrift in Japan.
From the Philadelphia item

Not only is Japan encouraging agri-
culture through the enginery of model
farm experimental stations, lectures
and what not, but likewise it is at
tempting to prove the lot Of the agri-
~culturist. There is going on in Japan
today a big work of uplifting, to en-
ploy our sorely tried American phrase.
foremost in this movement is a So
ciety known as the Hotokukwai, which
may be translated as the society for
moral and economic advancement. It's
main strength is being put forth in
improving rural conditions and in max
ing life in the rural communities more
worth the living through the extension
or amusements, charities, education,
social features Of one kind and an
other and by the development of agri-
cultural enterprises.
1t has organized the young people
everywhere and started branches in
about 10000 of the smaller hamlets
and villages of Japan. The Hotokukwai
Is assisted in its laudable efforts by the
government of Japan, which gives it's
money from time to time; by the heads
or the various procedures and by the
villages themselves. 1t has built up an
agricultural society in every prefectural
district, separate ones in the larger
towns, and put over all of these a cen-
trail agricultural agency in Toxic to aid
and direct them. II any OF the mem
bers OF n numerous branches of the
society choose to visit one of the big
cities they are conducted by a repre-
sentative of the organization through
It's schools, factories and workshops.
and shown it's most interesting sights.
The society likewise issues a number
OF periodicals n papers for the in
struction and intellectual awakening Of
its members, The Agricultural associa-
ton of Motosu district recognized the
advantage of using the influence of
Buddhist priests for improvement in
agriculture. So in August, 1906, 20
Buddhist priests of various sects were
called together and instructed how to
cultivate rice, barley and vegetables
how to hunt the injurious insects.
The attempts proved successful and the
results were remarkably good.
To foster the spirit of industry and
economy and t. encourage an auxiliary
work among farmers the manufacture
or wicker lunch baskets was started
among common school students of
Namazu village. The wages were to
be either used for school or
deposited as postal savings. The ma
terial being waste pieces discarded in
the making of wicker trunks, this
work is proving very profitable and
hopeful.
Shimo-Nakajima village abounds in
deep, muddy rice fields, which are suit
able for the growth of leeches. Taking
advantage of this students of the COM
mon school We're made to gather leeches
for the purpose of encouraging the
spirit of industry and economy among
them. The work was started in June.
1904, and in hat year almost 5000
leeches We're caught and sold, about Is
yen S7.5O being made. In 1905 about
5000 were caught and more tina 30 yen
$15) was made. Each time the money
was deposited as a joint saving. In
1906 more than 10, 900 leeches were gath
cred. The children expect a greater in
come as we'll as a larger demand, and
are much interested.