AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES. 



as a rule, follow the main directions of the islands, from S.W. to N.E. 

 In winter they are frequent, and generally of short duration. 

 The prevailing directions of storms at this season are from W., S., 

 and E. In summer the depressions of the barometer occur more 

 seldom, are slighter, and move more slowly from S. to N., or from 

 S.E. to N.W. Soft winds are accordingly the rule, and storms 

 seldom occur, and then chiefly from the S. and E. In late summer 

 and autumn, the number and rapidity of depressions increase 

 rapidly, their direction changes to S.W., the normal, and several 

 typhoons are developed amid widespread heavy and lasting rains. 



These dreaded whirlwinds set in most frequently in September, 

 when the sea-water has reached its highest temperature; and 

 this was the case with both of last year's storms, of which the 

 first was observed on September 15th, and the others on the 17th 

 and iSth.i 



During the first, on September 15th, 1884, which travelled from 

 S.W. to N.E. over the south-eastern part of Hondo, the barometer 

 sank about 45 mm., down to 705 mm., within Ar\ hours, and rose 

 again almost as fast. Apart from these isolated cases, the barometric 

 changes in the course of a year are slight. 



In winter the high barometric state of the continent crosses to 

 Japan, and brings heavy winds from the N. and .N.W., and a 

 clouded sky with great fall of snow on the side next the Japan 

 Sea, but a clear sky and little snow on the other, the lee side. 

 The transition from the soft, warm, and damp south winds of 

 summer to the rough and relatively dry north monsoon winds of 

 winter is by no means sharp and immediate. Still less so is the 

 reverse process in spring. This vernal and autumnal change in 

 the direction of the winds marks the end and beginning respec- 

 tively of the two chief divisions of the year, winter and summer. 

 When the south monsoon enters upon its sway in spring (in March 

 or April, according to the latitude), and Japan proper receives its 

 first warm showers, then begins the sowing of summer grain, es- 

 pecially of rice ; and when in September, after heavy rainfalls, the 

 summer is ended, the harvest of most of the crops begins. A 

 relatively high temperature, light winds, great dampness of the air, 

 and frequent rains, which alternate, however, once or oftener with 

 dry spells a week long, characterize the Japanese summer. 



October, the general harvest-month, is for the most part dry 

 and clear. The water of the heavy September rains has gradually 

 run off; but above the highest mountain-summits the precipita- 

 tions of vapour have already acquired a sharp outline, and the white 

 hoods, with many other natural appearances, announce that winter 

 is near. Trees and shrubs in gardens, groves, and forests, display 

 a large share of their autumn garments — a delightful diversity of 

 colours, from the deepest, most brilliant dark green of the ever- 



^ See "Annalen der Hydrographie und Marit. Meteorologie," 1885, pp. 99 ff. 



