NOTES ON JAPAN. 



By R. L. p. 



The climate of Japan is very healthy, though in the winter 

 snow is very frequent, and the changes are rapid, and the frosts 

 sharp; portions of the summer, particularly dog-days, are exces- 

 sively hot. Rains are abundant throughout the year, but particu- 

 larly in June and July, which are called there Satsuki, or winter 

 months. Thunder and lightning are of frequent occurrence. 

 The seas which surround Japan are rough, and liable to sudden 

 gales; they are filled with rocks to such an extent as to endanger 

 navigation. 



The soil for the most part is mountainous and barren, but 

 through the industry 0/ the natives, it has become so fruitful as 

 to supply them with all the necessaries of life; the most rocky 

 and forbiding localities, are made to yield fruits and roots, and 

 at the same time please the eye. By frugality and labor, this 

 populous empire, although surrounded by tempestuous and dan- 

 gerous oceans, subsists without any assistance from other coun- 

 tries. Even mountains and hills form no obstacle to cultivation, 

 agriculture is in high estimation. The farmer pays a large por- 

 tion of the produce as rent to his feudal chief, and is restricted 

 to have all his land under cultivation. If any part of it is left 

 untilledj he forfeits the possession of that part, which is imme- 

 diately taken by another farmer. The principal production is 

 rice; barley and wheat are not much used as food. The rice is 

 placed in the ground in April, and gathered the last of October, 

 or early in November. The steep side-hills even, are cultivated; 

 stone walls are built to support platforms, which are sown with 

 roots and rice ; every square foot of the mountains are so arranged 



