The boy travellers in the Far East : adventures of two youths ... - Library

FARMING PKOCESSES IN JAPAN. 10£
Fred saw a man dipping something from a hole in the ground, and
asked tlie Doctor what lie was doing.
Tiie Doctor explained that
the hole was a cask set in the
ground, and that it probably
contained liquid manure. Tlie
Japanese use it for enriching
their fields. They keep it in
these holes, covered with a
slight roof to prevent its evap-
oration as much as possible,
and they spread it around
where wanted by means of
buckets. The great drawback
to a walk in a Japanese field is
the frequency of the manure
deposits, as the odor arising
from them is anything but
agreeable. Particularly is this
so in the early part of the sea-
son, when the young plants re-
quire a great deal of attention
and nourishment. A nose at such times is an organ of great inconven-
ience.
The Doctor went on to explain that the Japanese farmers were very
watchful of their crops, and that men were employed to scare away the
birds, that sometimes dug up the seed after it Avas planted, and also ate
the grain while it was ripening. The Avatchmen had pieces of board
which they put on frames suspended in the air, and so arranged that they
rattled in the wind, and performed a service similar to tliat of the scare-
crow in America. In addition to this mode of making a noise, the watchmen
had whistles and clappers, and sometimes they carried small bells
M'hich they rang as they walked about. It was the duty of a watcliman
to keep constantly on tlie alert, as the birds were full of mischief, and,
from being rarely shot at, their boldness and impudence were Cjuite aston-
ishing to one freshly arrived from America, where tlie use of fire-arms is
so general.
Wliile Doctor Bronson was explaining about the birds, Fred suddenly
gave an exclamation of delight.
" Look, look !" said he ;
HOW TUEY CSli MANUUE.
" Avliat are those beautiful white birds ?"