CHAPTER VIII. 

 Some Routine Operations in Japanese Orchards. 



Of the ordinary processes in our orchards, irrigation 

 and drainage, " bagging," manuring, cultivation, hoeing, 

 protection against enemies are rather peculiar and noteworthy. 

 Above all, the process of bagging has been extensively 

 adopted by our growers as a preventive measure against 

 insects and. fungi. In this method, all fruit left after the 

 final thinning is covered with small paper bags made of old 

 newspapers or of " mino-gami," a strong Japanese paper. 

 The bags are provided with fine holes in the corners to let out 

 rain-water freely, and to prevent breaking. 



Bags without bottoms are preferred by some. In South 

 Japan, where peaches, pears and grape-vines are largely grown, 

 bottomless bags made of newspaper are widely used. Near 

 Tokio, growers use another kind of bag, made with native 

 paper treated with " Kaki-shibu," a juice expressed from Kaki 

 fruits. This juice make the paper water-tight, and from its 

 antiseptic quality is extensively used for many purposes. The 

 growing of date plums for the express purpose of obtaining 

 the juice is extensively carried on in some parts of this country.* 

 When newspapers are used, new bags are annually supplied, 

 while in other cases they are only partially renewed, the same 

 bags being used for three years or more until they are worn 

 out. 



An immense number of these bags being prepared, growers 

 are always ready to use them at the right time. The time of 

 bagging varies for different fruits. Lately, bagging has come 

 to be done very early, to minimize insect and fungas injuries. 



* Bull, of Our College, Tsukamoto : — On the " Kaki- 

 shJbu ". 



