Page:Life in Java Volume 1.djvu/102

84 the paddy broad-cast over one or two fields, which we may call nurseries. After the lapse of a month, when the paddy has grown to the height of half a foot, he cuts it out in sods, and separating the roots, he plants them in sawahs, whose waters he has by this time lowered considerably, leaving only such quantities as will prevent the ground from becoming hard and dry.

The country appears like an extensive pasture, and numerous lanky rice-birds, with long necks, and plumage white as snow, known as the Burong Bangoo, are seen feeding on the numerous frogs and vermin which abound in the district.

The hardest work of the husbandman is now over, and for the two ensuing months he has no other occupation, until he is summoned to gather the rich yellow harvest by which his labour is rewarded. The sight then is as merry and pleasing as it is with us at home at harvest time.

In the course of our drive, we came to a hilly