208 On the Agriculture and Horticulture of Japan. 
The Sesamum orientale, is cultivated in many places, and from the 
small seed, a fine oil is expressed, and used here, as in India, for ckes- 
sing food. The Cotton and Tea plants, are cultivated to a great ex- 
tent; also the Varnish Tree, (jRAm5 rernix) the Camphor Tree, (^Lau- 
rus camphora) the Cedar, (Cupressus Japonica) the Mulben-y, for 
the numerous silk-worms ; and many kinds of forest trees ; some of 
which, are peculiar to Japan. 
The desserts, in Japan, consist of many kinds of well-tasted fi-uits, 
which are cultivated in the gardens. Shadocks, Seville and Clnna 
Oranges, Pears, Plums, Cherries, Medlars, (^Mespilus Japonica) of 
a very delicious taste; Figs, Grapes, Pomegranates, Spanish Fig, 
(^Cactus acus,) Chestnuts, Walnuts, Nuts of several sorts, some of 
which are peculiar to those regions ; two sorts of Barberry are culti- 
vated, Berberis vulgaris, and B. Cretica 
Most of the natives of Japan take great care and delight in their 
gardens, and cultivate many kinds of flowers, and plant flowering 
shrubs before their houses, and also form hedges of shrubs, about the 
farms, on account of their beautiful flowers. Among those planted 
as hedges are several species of Viburnum, the Spirea chamadrifolia 
and crenata, which with their snow-white flowers, make an elegant 
appearance ; also the Gardenia Florida, both dolible and single. No- 
thing can exceed the beauty of the hedges of the Maples, indigenous to 
this country-, {Acer dissecUim, J aponicum , palmatum, pichimy and tri- 
Jidum) the Lycium Japonicum, a small handsome shrub, is planted 
in hedges The Azalea Indica, is one of their most favorite plants, of 
which they cultivate many beautiful varieties. 
Among the flowers they cultivate, are Chrysanthemum Indicum, 
Nandtna domestica, Prunus cerasus, Ancuba Japonica, various Spi- 
r eat and Maffno/ice, Tagetes patula, Celosia cristata, Uovenia dulcis. 
Aster Chinensis, Vceonia officinalis. Calendula officinalis, Lnpatiens 
balsamina, Mirabilis dichotoma, and an endless number of others. 
Like the Cliinese, they are very fond of double flowers, and have 
an endless variety of the Peach, Cherry, Plum, and many others. 
They also plant dwarf trees in flower -pots, often with pumice or other 
porous stone, histead of earth. The Dolichos pohjstachjos, [Phaseolus 
perenms) a plant of the pea kind, is planted in many places, and formed 
into arbours. The Alcea rosea, and Malva Mauritiana, are cultivated 
in small gardens, in towns, for the beauty of their flo^vers. 
I remain, yours, &c., 
S. S. 
September 25th, 1831. 
