AGRICULTURE OF JAPAN. 85 



managed by another holding the handle. In light, moist ground, (and in such only did we see 

 it operate,) it does pretty fair ploughing, turning the earth very well, hut making a rather 

 shallow furrow. In tenacious clays, not irrigable, as in terraced plats, the hoe seems to be used 

 in breaking up the ground. Hoes are made chiefly of heavy wood, the cutting edge and sides 

 being cased with iron. From this economy in its use, it would appear that iron is a rather 

 scarce article. After the operation of ploughing, water is admitted ; and the land being satu- 

 rated, it is harrowed and cross-harrowed repeatedly, until completely dissolved. This is done 

 by means of a small one-headed harrow with one row of long teeth, being, in fact, a large 

 rake without a handle. There are two uprights with a cross-piece to hold by, and the imple- 

 ment is drawn by a bullock, with traces (not chains) attached to each end of the head-piece. 

 The whole tool may be seen carried upon a man's shoulders, realizing the sculptured image of 

 the Egyptian deity, (Osiris); but the plough is far too heavy for similar transportation. Next 

 in order after this, comes a very peculiar and unique process. Coarse grasses, weeds, &c, are 

 brought down from the neighboring acclivities, either by men or upon bullocks. When by the 

 latter, it is placed on each side of them in wooden hooks, analogous to panniers, and almost 

 completely envelops the small animal. This material is spread evenly and thickly over the 

 surface of the prepared ground, which, it will be remembered, consists now of earth and water 

 in a state of loblolly. A man then enters upon it at one side, with wide and long frame-work 

 pieces attached to his feet. These pieces are of open work, for the passage of water and oose ; 

 if closed, they would be good snow-shoes, as used by the Canadians. The man passes, with 

 short steps, from one side of the plot to the other, pressing deep into the mud, and concealing 

 from view the scattered grass. Returning, he places the inner foot where the outer one passed 

 before, and so on, until the whole is done; thus pressing twice upon every part and portion. 

 The land is now ready for planting ; but whether this is done immediately, or postponed until 

 fermentation commences, I am unable to say, though there did appear to be some delay. 



Of beans the Japanese have several sorts, as white and black, runners or climbers, and bush 

 or snap beans; the black-eye or cow pea, and a peculiar hairy-podded bean, growing upon a 

 branching stem, called commonly Japan pea; and also a diminutive one, not much larger than 

 a lentil. From one of these the famous soya is made, a fermented condiment used for various 

 dishes. 



Tubers of the genuine potato {solarium tuberosum) were seen at Hakodadi, and a small lot of 

 them was seen growing near Simoda ; and a small lot of them upland, in the midst of an orange 

 plantation, were in blossom. No tillage seemed to be used after planting, as the whole sur- 

 face was covered with a thick coating of fibrous matter — in other words, was heavily mulched 

 or gunneyized. 



A few young plants of Indian corn (maize) were also observed ; at least they were believed to 

 be such, as contradistinguished from young millet (sorghum), and were stated to be such by 

 the interpreters, from my description of corn. It was not cultivated to any extent, but appa- 

 rently as a mere vegetable. I endeavored to secure a few ears, or even a few grains, but could 

 not succeed. And here a characteristic fact may be mentioned. Whatever I was specially de- 

 sirous of procuring through the officials, they seemed specially determined I should not get; 

 not by refusing downright, but by procrastinating, and finally stating it could not be obtained. 

 The Indian corn is an example, as also small camphor-plants and young grape-vines, and some 

 other things. Of the camphor trees it was said, at first, they were abundant and easily to be 

 procured not far from Simoda; and of grape-vines, there were probably many at hand. But, 



