Chap. XIV. 
IRRIGATION. 
231 
\\ utei-wlKL-l l.)r In igatiun. 
the ground once or twice during the summer, and stir 
the soil up well amongst the roots, at the same time 
removing any weeds which may have sprung up. If 
the weather is wet, the fields retain the water for a con- 
siderable time, and then it is not an uncommon sight 
to see the natives wading nearly up to the knees in 
mud and water when they are gathering in the 
harvest. 
When ripe, the crops are cut with a small instru- 
ment not very unlike our own reaping-hook, and are 
generally thrashed out at once in the fields where they 
have grown. Sometimes, however, and more parti- 
cularly in the north, the paddy is tied up in sheaves, and 
carried home before it is thrashed ; indeed everything in 
the northern agriculture of the Chinese has a great 
resemblance to what is practised in Europe. 
