CUTTING THE RICE HARVEST

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 98, 20 January 1920, Page 10

CUTTING THE RICE HARVEST

JAVANESE rilllimVE METHODS. To see the most primitive methods ol nco cultivation one must go to Java says the "Christian Science Monitor" Iho sawahs or paddy fields which are seen ♦r-lrywliere—iimre -are about a,W,000 acres of them in tho island—are much the same as in other countries of tho Last, and form an euuitiiy important part ot tho agriculture of the rkc-eat-ing nations; but the method of renpinn is fortunately almost unknown at the present day in any other region. As a result, tho Javanese aro still obliged to import largo quantities of the grain ironi Saigon and Singapore to nmko up their own deficit. Tho planting is done as usual, rowe women wading down tho liclds of soft mud and inserting little bunches oi seedlings at regular intervals. With tho liar, vesting _ of the crop comes 11,6 unique sight of a crowd of Javanese men, women and children coming out of the neighbouring bauilots into the first ripe field and then each in succession as it ripens. The stems ai'o cut 0110 by one about threo fee; from tho ground, euch ear being deftly severed with a litllo curved knife, and stacked in small bundles to dry. Tho whole- operation is conducted in 'a genuine holiday spirit, and w.ith the air of people not pressed for time. In rain have Europeans fried to introduce, more expeditious methods; nothing will do but the old time-honoured process. The harvest is impatiently anticipated by tho rural population, and it is In trim and ended with general festivities.