300 



HICK. 



The culture of rice by the aid of the periodical rains forms the 

 third mode. The grain being that kind which requires submersion, 

 the process of sowing and reaping is determined with precision by 

 the seasons. With the first fall of the rains the lands are ploughed 

 and harrowed. The seed is sown in beds, usually by strewing 

 very thickly the corn in the ear. From these beds the plants, 

 when 12 or 14 days old, are removed into the fields and thinly set 

 by the hand. They are then kept constantly immersed in water 

 until within a fortnight of the harvest, when it is drawn off to fa- 

 cilitate the ripening of the grain. 



The fourth mode of cultivating rice is by forcing a crop by ar- 

 tificial irrigation, at any time of the year ; thus, in one field, in 

 various plots, the operations of sowing, ploughing, transplanting, 

 and reaping may be seen at the same period. 



The fertile, populous, and industrious countries of the Eastern 

 Archipelago export rice to their neighbours. The most remark- 

 able of these are Java, Bali, some parts of Celebes, with the most 

 fertile spots of Sumatra, and of the Malay Peninsula. Kice 

 is generally imported to these western countries from those farther 

 east, such as the Spice Islands. Java is the principal place of 

 production for the consumption of the other islands, and the only 

 island of the Archipelago that sends rice abroad. The rice of the 

 eastern districts is generally superior to that of the western. The 

 worst rice is that of Indramayu, which is usually discolored. The 

 subdivision of the province of Cheribon, called Gabang, yields rice 

 of fine white grain, equal to that of Carolina. The rice of Gressie 

 preserves best. All Indian rice is classed, in commercial language, 

 into the three descriptions of table rice, white rice, and cargo rice. 

 From the limited demand for the first, it is only to be had in 

 Java, in small quantity. For the same reason the second is not 

 procurable in large quantity, unless bespoken some time before- 

 hand ; but the third may be had at the shortest notice in any quan- 

 tity required. Java rice is inferior in estimation to that of Bengal 

 or Carolina in the markets of Europe. 



The following statistics show the extent and progress of the 

 culture in Java : 



In 1840. 



In 1841. 



No. of Residencies in which rice is cultivated . 



Regencies .... 



Districts .... 



Desas or villages . . . 



Amount of the population who take a part in it, 



without distinction of caste . . 



Number of families, &c. . . . 



families who devote themselves to the 



cultivation .... 



Number of men bound to obligatory service . 

 Cleared grounds in bah us, of 71 decametres . 



Upon this extent the population had cultivated for 



the government, in bahus of 71 decametres . 

 Extent of fields which the population had culti- 



vated on their own account, in bahun, Sec. . 



