64 WOKCESTER COUNTY HORTICULTUEAL SOCIETY. [1894. 



With the hoe, the blade of which is four inches wide, the soil is turned 

 over, left a few days exposed to the sun, then levelled and seed put 

 in. Every crop but rice is planted in rows, straight as an arrow. 

 Men and women work in the fields. I saw some rice-threshing going 

 on. Young women and children drew the rice straw across the teeth 

 of a saw-like blade, by which the seeds were dislodged. It is a matter 

 of wonder to our gardeners, how it is the Japanese curtail the growth 

 of plants as they do. After noticing the plants in Japan, and the 

 appliances and treatment, and considering all observed circumstances 

 therewith connected, it is my opinion that the glazed, or marble pots 

 they use, and which are not porous, retain moisture longer without 

 watering, and also make frequent repotting unnecessary. I mean to 

 experiment on this line. One can learn nothing from the Japanese 

 gardener about it ; I noticed all over Japan that they use very finely 

 sifted soil for potting, and press the soil down very firmly about the 

 plant roots. They seem to understand the true art of watering plants, 

 and this seems to me to be the main secret of their success. 



Nature and Art go hand in hand in Japan. The people never try to 

 appear other than they are, and they never force things ; there is none 

 of that eternal rush we have here. They never hurry, but are always 

 industrious. They are perhaps the cleanest people in the world, 

 taking a bath two or three times every day, with water almost at boil- 

 ing heat. The bath tub is everywhere, in country and city alike. I 

 visited several silk and vase factories, and was surprised to see the 

 beautiful work done, even by children of five to ten years old. They 

 were making vases and chinaware. Some pieces require eleven 

 months to complete, because of the amount of labor, and time neces- 

 sary for drying the work. They are equally skilful in needlework. 



If any one would renew life, I say, go to Japan instead of Europe. 

 In Japan there is I'est and enjoyment, and the beauty of the country 

 has no end. I never saw a chrysanthemum flower until I' went to 

 Japan, where everybody loves it. I visited five hundred places where 

 it is cultivated. But these were only the principal gardens in a few 

 large cities. Go to Japan ! 



