Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/101

Rh foot of hills, these situations being preferred on account of the greater facility they afford for keeping the fields under water. They are always so arranged as to follow one another consecutively, with embankments of mud around each. Situated on a slope, they look from a distance—before the paddy has attained to any height—like steps of shining mirrors; but a level view presents more the appearance of a marsh or swamp. The highest reservoir is fed from a spring by means of bamboo pipes, and at one corner of each embankment there is a small opening to conduct the water from thence to the next reservoir, and so on to the lowest ones. In the valleys, streams are deflected as feeders, for the purpose of irrigation. During the rainy season these contrivances are to a certain extent unnecessary.

When the reservoirs are filled with water, the husbandman ploughs his several fields, and then selecting an ari slamat, or lucky day, he throws