208 
On the Agriculture and Horticulture of Japan. 
The Sesamum orientakf is cultivated in many places, and from the 
small seed, a fine oil is expressed, and used here, as in India, for dres¬ 
sing food. The Cotton and Tea plants, are cultivated to a great ex¬ 
tent; also the Varnish Tree, (Rhus vernix) the Camphor Tree, (Lau- 
rus camphor a) the Cedar, (Cupressus Japonica) the Mulberry, for 
the numerous silk-worms; and ipany kinds of forest trees; some of 
which, are peculiar to Japan. 
The desserts, in Japan, consist of many kinds of well-tasted fruits, 
which are cultivated in the gardens. Shadocks, Seville and China 
Oranges, Pears, Plums, Cherries, Medlars, (Mespilus Japonica) of 
a very delicious taste; Fig^, Grapes, Pomegranates, Spanish Fig, 
(Cactus acusj) 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 chamcedrifolia 
and crenata, which with their snow-white flowers, make an elegant 
appearance; also the Gardenia Florida, both double and single. No¬ 
thing can exceed the beauty of the hedges of the Maples, indigenous to 
this country', (Acer dissectum,Japonicum,palmatum, pictum, and tri- 
fiduiri) tlie 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, 
Nandina domestica, Brunus cerasus, Aucuba Japonica, various Spi- 
recc and Magnolice, Tagetes patula, Celosia cristata, Hovenia dulcis. 
Aster Chinensis, Pceonia officinalis. Calendula officinalis, Impatiens 
balsamina, Mirabilis dichotoma, and an endless number of others. 
Like the Chinese, 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, instead of earth. The Dolichos polystachyos, [Phaseolus 
perennis) 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 flowers. 
I remain, yours. See., 
September 25th, 1831. 
S. S. 
