16 RECENT FOREIGT^^ EXPLORATIONS. 



thus enlarged these fields are small indeed as compared with those in 

 the United States, but it is a great advance for Japan. 



Such reform as this will greatly facilitate the use of cattle in plow- 

 ing the wet fields and in carting out the crops. But, more than this, 

 the area of arable land is greatly increased by breaking down the 

 numerous grass ridges and throwing their space into productive soil. 

 About one-tenth is thus gained, or 2 acres in the plat figured; and as 1 

 acre averages about $175 in value, the entire gain is over $350. But 

 the whole expense of this reform was only $400, so that it almost paid 

 for itself in the value of new space gained, to say nothing of the less- 

 ening of manual labor. 



Japanese farmers are beginning to see that American methods must 

 be more and more considered if they are to keep pace with agricul- 

 tural advance all over the world. 



FIELD WORK. 



The fields of the Japanese farjners are generally well drained and 

 thoroughly tilled, mostU^ with the spade or mattock. Both of these 

 implements difier from those used in the United States. The mat- 

 tock has a blade about 16 inches long and 5 inches wide, with a handle 

 4 or 5 feet long. The implement weighs 7 or 8 pounds. With a quick, 

 powerful blow the blade is driven into the soil about 14 inches; then, 

 using the handle as a lever, the soil is disintegrated and partially 

 inverted. The spade is a wooden blade about 2 feet long with an 

 ordinarv handle; the lower end of the blade is cased with steel, and 

 upon the back of the upper end is a block the width of the spade. 

 The spade is thrust into the soil by the foot at an angle of about 30°, 

 and, using the block for a fulcrum, the soil is rolled to one side, as in 

 plowing, but it is more thoroughly disintegrated. All the trash, 

 straw, or grass upon the field is turned under, together with such an 

 amount of lime, ashes, fish manure, or human excreta as the farmer 

 may be able to secure. Where a winter crop is raised the manure is 

 generalh^ applied in the fall. If the rice field remains fallow during 

 the winter the manure is applied at the time of spring working, in 

 March or April, according to conditions. 



The seed bed is prepared as earl}^ as convenient in the spring, about 

 April 1. thoroughly manured, and is giv^en the care of a bed in the 

 garden. It is spaded 8 inches deep and worked until the manure is 

 thoroughly incorporated and all clods pulverized, after which it is 

 surrounded b}' a low ridge and water is admitted to fill the soil until 

 the spaded earth becomes consistent mud. The seed, which had been 

 previously' selected for purity, size of grain, and flinty character, is 

 then soaked in pure water till well sprouted, which usually' requires 

 two daj's, and is then sown on the bed broadcast as thickh' as admis- 

 sible for strong plants. Prior to sowing the bed is covered with water 



