175 



our system enables us to draw upon this capital, the 

 sooner will it come to an end. The term ' culture' 

 applied to such a proceeding is a misnomer. 



The peculiar method of manuring alluded to 

 consists merely in our endeavouring to feed the soil 

 of our fields with the largest possible supply of 

 azotized matter. Now, a"mmonia and the other 

 azotized compounds may doubtless be looked upon 

 as excellent agents to rouse the hidden and slum- 

 bering forces of the soil, but, after all, they may 

 be regarded somewhat in the light of a banker 

 who kindly exchanges the pound we wish to spend 

 for thirteen shillings ; and then we can spend the 

 change fast enough. This accounts for the large 

 party amongst us, thriftless and careless, who love 

 and cherish the obliging banker. 



This is the great difference between European 

 and Japanese culture. The former is simply a 

 delusion that will be detected sooner or later. 

 Japanese cultivation, on the other hand, is actual 

 and genuine ; the produce of the land represents 

 truly the interest of the capital of the soil's produc- 

 tive power. As the Japanese is aware of the 

 necessity of living upon that interest, his chief care 

 is devoted to preserving the capital intact. He 

 withdraws from his soil with one hand only when 

 he can compensate with the other ; and never takes 

 more than he can return. He never tries to force 

 the production by large supplies of azotized matters. 



