78 



JAPAN - AGRICULTURAI, ECONOMY IN GENERAI, 



§ 2. Growth of Agricultural production. 



The organizing energy of Japan has given a strong impulse to the acti- 

 vity of Korea. The fact is proved by the figures having regard to foreign 

 trade, which increased in amount from 39,207,031 yen (8,902,509 yen for 

 exports and 30,304,522 yen foi imports) in 1906 to 108,691,682 yen (exports 

 49,492,325 yen and imports 59,199,357 yen). If it be remembered that 

 — as we have said — more than 80 per cent, of the foreign trade is in agri- 

 cultural products, the increase in agricultural production is seen to have 

 been considerable. 



The activity of the Oriental Development Company, the wise organiza- 

 tion of small credit, technical education, the formation of small farms, ex- 

 perimental stations and nurseries for mulberry and other trees, the forma- 

 tion of Water Utilization Associations (i), the holding of agricultural exhi- 

 bitions — all these elements have contributed to the progress made. Much 

 however remains to be done for at the end of 1914 only about 13 per cent, 

 of the land of the peninsula was cultivated. Measures have therefore been 

 taken to extend the cultivated area. Between 1907 and the end of 1914, 

 29, 198 cho of State waste land were granted to individuals or corporate bodies. 



The following table shows the progress made between 1910 and 1914 : 



(i) In order to improve the quality of the exported rice, regulations issued in February 

 191 3 provided for its in.spection and subsequent classiiication . 



(2) I koku = 0.6205 quarter. 



(3) I kin = 1.32 lbs. 



(i) There were at the end of 191 4 nine of these associations, of which seven had up to that 

 date spent more than 1,189,000 yen, while the area having a water supply had been increased 

 by 10,407 cho. 



