The lakes & ponds & rivers were right on single water. brid. This is apparently due to persecution by the Japanese and lack of any sentiment for animals in these people. The absence of pet animals is further evidence of this lack of sympathy. I was much surprised by the great number of rivers I've crossed in a country so narrow as this island. We counted about ten large rivers shallow but with wide beds 200 or 30 yards, Everywhere there were pools in the fields & rice was submerged & just being planted. In the fields were many men hoe-hoeing making a loud plashing noise, and it smelled fertilizer pervaded the air in many districts. The fields are very fertile due to fertilization & owhere did I see idle or uncultivated ground.