12 RECENT FOREIGN EXPLORATIONS. 



in Japan. Many tests had been made at these stations to determine 

 the varieties of rice most profitable for general use among the farmers 

 of Japan, and samples were exhibited of each variety tested. Fifteen 

 of the best for general planting, including early, medium, and late 

 varieties, were selected. In addition to the samples of seed exhibited, 

 small plats of each variet}' were shown in the trial fields, from which, 

 in connection with the notes that had been taken, the relative vigor 

 and habit of growth of each variety were determined. Some deduc- 

 tions which the Japanese experimenters have made may be profital^ly 

 noted here: (1) The great importance of selecting pure-bred seed of 

 even qualit}' and size of grain. (2) The removal of an}' light or imper- 

 fect grains. This is done in Japan by soaking the seed rice in water 

 several days till it is about ready to sprout, when it is thrown into salt 

 water of 1.3 specific gravity and allowed to remain two minutes, being 

 gently stirred meanwhile. The light grains will float; the others are 

 removed, washed in cold water, and planted. When a seed drill is to 

 be used the damp seed is first dried by being rolled in the ashes of rice 

 straw. (3) Even sprouting of the grains is very essential to even 

 ripening of the crop. This is accomplished by previously soaking the 

 seed as above stated. 



The agricultural station experimenters found it profitable to use 

 about 200 pounds of superphosphate per acre on rice. They also used 

 with good effect soy-bean cake, horse manure, human excreta, and 

 straw ashes. Too much straw plowed under caused fermentation and 

 injured the roots of the plants. For their conditions the fertilizer 

 should contain nitrogen, phosphoric acid, and potash in the ratio of 2, 

 1..5, and 1.2. 



It is the observation of scientific and practical men in Japan and 

 China that the best rice can not be produced on low, marshy ground. 

 Such rice is relativeh' dark in color and inferior in quality. The best 

 rice is produced on well-drained land. It is claimed that one advan- 

 tage of planting a rice field to a winter wheat or barley crop is that 

 the soil is dried and pulverized. 



By the time the fields of growing rice had been carefulh" examined 

 and the subject fully discussed with Japanese farmers, the 15 varieties 

 originally selected were reduced to 10 b}^ elimination of the less valua- 

 ble ones. At Kobe some additions were made to the list on the 

 advice of E. H. Hunter, the well-known rice miller, and the final 

 number of varieties selected for importation was 15. This seed 

 arrived in the United States in good condition and has been planted 

 for trial. If it meets expectations the Department will be prepared 

 to distribute seed which has been full}' tested. 



AGRICULTURAL SITUATION. 



The following account of agriculture and rural life in Japan ma}^ be 

 of interest: Rice forms the principal article of food of the Japanese, 



