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4. .'SOIXS X)F PALEOZOIC ORIGIN. 



The PaleozQit formations extend through the whole 

 ecountry from Formosa to Hokkaido. They form thebackbon 

 of the country and the larger part is much elevated and 

 inclined. The cultivated parts amount only to i5°/o °f ^'^^ 

 whole. The Soils of Paleozoic Origin may be divided into 

 two classes, from the nature of the mother rocks. Soils from 

 schalstein and quartzite prevail, and they form almost two ex- 

 tremes as regards texture. Schalstein produces clay and 

 quartzite sandy soils. The richness of the former in the fertile 

 elements, indeed, is probably without parallel in this country. 

 It has also a high capacity of absorption. But generally 

 speaking, soils of this category are lacking in the requisite 

 texture. They are too heavy and retentive for rice growing 

 or other farming purposes on level land, unless the drainage 

 facilities are exceptionally great. Thus, the productivity seems 

 variable according to the situation, subsoil, kind of crops, etc. 

 Where the soil has some admixture of gravel or rock frag- 

 ments and the natural drainage is ample, the best kinds of 

 fruits can be grown, as shown in the accompanying tables. 

 Vinifera grapes, mandarins, oranges, loquats, peaches and 

 pears flourish and yield first rate crops. Most extensive and 

 finest citrous groves, orchards and vineyards have long been 

 established on soils of this category. Moreover, mulberry, tea 

 and ether deep-rooting plants thrive best in this soil. Wild 

 tea plants have frequently been found in this soil in south 

 Japan. 



Quite opposite to the above, are soils derived from 

 quartzite. They are moderately fertile, but markedly want- 

 ing- in absorptive capacity. They are exceedingly porbus and 

 crops are often liable to suffer from summer drought, except' 

 rice plants, which yield crops of higher quality, though Jess in 

 amounti . .< : ■ m : 



