264 
CLIMATE OP JAPAN. 
Chap. XVI. 
CHAPTEE XYI. 
Climate of Japan — Dr. Hepburn’s tables — Hottest and coldest months 
— Monsoons — Gales of wind — The rainy season — Earthquakes 
— Agriculture — Rank of the farmer — Rocks and soil — Cultiva- 
tion of winter crops — Seed-time and harvest — Curious mode of 
harvesting — Summer crops on dry land — Mode of planting — 
Manures — Crops requiring irrigation — Cultivation of rice — 
Other crops - Animals few in number - Waste lands - Crops and 
In the preceding chapters of this work I have 
noticed, from time to time, the operations of the 
Japanese husbandman. But the agriculture of 
Japan is a subject of considerable interest, and one 
which is worthy of more than a passing notice. 
In order that it may be better understood I shall 
first endeavour to give an account of the climate of 
the country. 
The empire of Japan covers a space of about 
15 degrees of latitude, and is placed between 30° 
and 45° north. It consists of four large islands, 
namely, Kiu-siu, Sikok, Nipon, and Yesso, and 
occupies a position on the eastern side of Asia not 
unlike that of the British Islands on the west of 
Europe, only considerably further to the south. 
Like China it is liable to extremes of temperature 
—to excessive heat in summer and great cold in 
