28 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



short distance S.W. of Melville Harbor, and might he called, from the fortress-like hills within 

 and around it, Fort Hill Plain. Near by, and towards the S.E., is by far the most beautiful 

 glen we passed through, left with its original forest in the upper portion, and traversed by a 

 limpid stream. Amid a dense mass of tropical vegetation, were found tall cypresses and multi- 

 tudes of ferns. Either bank was, in various parts, completely draped by the large and pendent 

 leaves of the latter, of which some were seen rising aloft to twenty or thirty, and even thirty- 

 five feet in height. He who delights in ferns would here be delighted to satiety. Fern Glen 

 would be an appropriate name. In its lower portion there was a simple aqueduct thrown across 

 the stream, some eight feet high, to keep the water at a proper level for irrigating larger 

 surfaces. It consisted of rudely-hewn troughs, supported by forked stakes. At the outlet of 

 the valley there is a long stockaded embankment, filled in with earth, to break the force of the 

 rivulet when swollen to a mountain torrent. 



All arable parts of the island being thus graded by the labor of ages, let us proceed to the 

 culture of the land. This will be specified under the heads of various crops ; premising, how- 

 ever, that the land being cultivated upon the Metayer system, brought down almost to individ- 

 uals (or possibly upon an allotment system), and consequently divided into very small portions 

 or parcels, and the labor being done by man, horticulture would seem to be a more appropriate 

 term than agriculture, and the whole country to be overspread by a series of gardens rather 

 than farms. 



Rice (pryza sativa) appears to be the most valued, though probably not the most important 

 article of produce. It is grown only upon irrigated land. This is prepared by first saturating 

 it completely with water, which enables the long hoes to penetrate deeply and easily. While 

 yet overflowed, a gang of men (one, two, three, or four) enter a plot, and each one hoes a row 

 across it. They stand up to the knee in mud and water, which renders the short handle avail- 

 able. No. 1 carries a row near a foot wide, which he draws away from the land, not unlike a 

 plough furrow. No. 2 follows with a similar slice and furrow, and so with the rest. When 

 finished, it is not unlike ploughed land, deep, and well laid over in seams or ridges ; and it is 

 surprising with what rapidity it is done. This operation was frequently witnessed, and this 

 alone ; though the plough may possibly be used for this purpose at times. It is believed, how- 

 ever, that it only follows this, after an interval, for the purpose of still further loosening the 

 soil. This again is followed by the harrow, to more effectually break down and comminute the 

 whole, and also to level the surface perfectly ; the water yet remaining serving as a guide. Here 

 are ploughing and harrowing, not only in wet land, but in land actually under water! What 

 would our agriculturists say to this, so exactly opposite to their best practice? And yet it is 

 equally good practice. It may now be understood how these slight implements answer their 

 purpose, and can be drawn by one small horse or bull. By the way, bulls only were seen at 

 this work, and these sinking nearly to their bellies at every step. 



The next operation is to set out the plants. These have been grown previously in similar 

 plots, which presented lovely green spots in every valley. Across them demarcations are made 

 by lines, where no plants grow — the small lots belonging to different persons. The whole is 

 protected from crows by a few split bamboos set in the ground — some upright, and some bent 

 into bows, and in places by cords extended over the plots upon stakes. The plants are drawn 

 by hand, tied into conveniently-sized bundles, and dropped into the water until required for 

 use. They are set out with great celerity. Gangs of hands move along inserting the plants 

 into the soft earth, at intervals of six or eight inches, and, it being under water, the operation 



