MODE OF HARVESTING. 
p. XVI. 
Another portion of the crop was harvested in a 
most curious way, which I think must he peculiar 
to Japan, for I have neither seen it nor heard of 
it in any other country. On the 10th of June — 
so says my journal — fires were observed blazing 
all over the country, and dense masses of smoke 
were seen rising from every cornfield. This time 
it was not the burning of rape-stalks, for they had 
all disappeared, having been converted into their 
elements of earth and air, the former of which was 
already entering into another form and was sup- 
plying food for the summer crops. It was the 
bearded barley which was now going through the 
crucible, the object being to separate the heads 
of corn from the straw and awns. This was done 
in the following way : — The com, having been 
tied up in small bundles or sheaves, is removed to 
a convenient spot on the edge of the field. When 
the burning is to begin the workman takes a sheaf 
in one hand, and with the other applies fire to the 
upper or com end of the sheaf. It immediately 
ignites, the awns go off in a blaze, the heads of 
com snap from the stalk and fall to the ground. 
Lighting another sheaf, the workman throws the 
first away in a blaze, regardless apparently of the 
value of the straw, and so the operation goes on. 
As the beardless heads fall to the ground the fire 
goes out, leaving them slightly browned by the 
operation, but with the grain unharmed. 
Straw is largely used for the flooring of rooms, 
and is laid under the matting, but, judging from 
