, 26 [Assembly 



and cultivated. Forests are only allowed to remain where agri- 

 cultural labor is impossible. Trenches are made use of to divide 

 fields, instead of fences ; »after certain intervals, these are filled 

 and cultivated, while others are opened, thus giving the land rest. 

 Great care is taken to collect manure, which is made liquid before 

 it is used ; this, in my opinion, is the only way manure ever 

 should be used, as no crop can make use of any other than a 

 liquid. The Japanese carry this liquid to the fields in pails, and 

 pour it on the plants when five or six inches high, with a ladle. 

 Weeds are so thoroughly eradicated, that the sign of one is not 

 seen. 



The country is well supplied with fountains and lakes. It is 

 subject to earthquakes, which the natives think are caused by 

 huge whales creeping under the islands, and they therefore do not 

 heed them more than we do storms of thunder and lightning, 

 though they sometimes destroy whole cities, and bury thousands 

 ot inhabitants under their ruins, as was the case with Jeddo in 

 1702, when 200,000 lives were lost. 



The Japanese mountains are abundantly filled with metals, such 

 as gold, silver, and copper, over which the Emperor claims sur 

 preme jurisdiction; no mine can be opened without his consent. 

 He receives two-thirds of the produce of the mines, and the other 

 third goes to the lord of the province. Tin is found there of 

 superior quality, nearly resembling silver; iron, coal, agates, and 

 pearls, are likewise more or less abundant. 



A red earth is found in a river of one of the provinces, which 

 is burned in lamps instead of oil. Ambergris is met with on 

 the coasts of Satzuma and Khumano, chiefly in the intestines of 

 whales. 



The plants of Japan are numerous. Among them may be 

 named the mulberry, which claims the first place, being the food 

 of the silk- worm, they likewise make paper from its bark; it 

 grows wild. The varnish tree, called by them Urusi, is a noble 

 and useful tree, it affords a milky juice, with which the Jtipanese 

 varnish all their household dishes, plates, &c,; at court, such var- 



