The History of Java, v. 1-2Raffles, Thomas Stamford, Sir
History
The History of Java, v. 1-2
Raffles, Thomas Stamford, Sir
Java (Indonesia) -- History
The plough (_walúku_), in general use for the irrigated land, consists
of three parts, the body, beam, and handle. It is generally made of
teak wood, where that material can be provided, or otherwise of the
most durable that can be found: the yoke only is of _bámbu_. Simple as
it is, it appears, both in its construction and durability, superior
to the plough of Bengal, as described by Mr. Colebrooke, from which it
differs, in having a board cut out of the piece which forms the body,
for throwing the earth aside. The point of the body, or sock, is tipped
with iron, which in some districts is cast for the purpose. There is
another kind, of more simple construction, in use for dry and mountain
cultivation: this is termed _brújul_, and consists of but two parts.
Both kinds are so light, that when the ploughman has performed his
morning's work, he throws the plough over his shoulder, and without
feeling any inconvenience or fatigue, returns with it to his cottage.
For gardens, and for small fields adjoining the villages, the small
_lúku chína_, or Chinese plough, is used with one buffalo: the cost for
a good plough seldom exceeds a rupee and a half. The harrow (_gáru_),
which is rather a large rake having only a single rough row of teeth,
costs about the same sum, and is in like manner made of teak where
procurable; except the handle, beam, and yoke, which are of _bámbu_.
When used, the person who guides it generally sits upon it, to give it
the necessary pressure for levelling or pulverizing the soil.
The _páchul_ is a large hoe, which in Java serves every purpose of the
spade in Europe, and is consequently, next to the plough, the most
important implement in Javan husbandry. The head is of wood tipped
with iron; and the handle, which is about two feet and a half long,
frequently has a slight curve, which renders it more convenient for
use: its price is about half a rupee. The _árit_, or weeding knife,
costs about eight pence; and the _áni áni_, with which the grain
is reaped, about three pence. The latter is a small instrument of
peculiar shape. The reaper holds it in a particular manner, and crops
off with it each separate ear, along with a few inches of the straw.
This mode of reaping has been immemorially practised and is universally
followed. Some of the most intelligent people being questioned
respecting the origin of this operose process, answered, that it was
reported to have been established in ancient times as a _s'lámat_, or
grateful acknowledgment for an abundant harvest; that when his field
was covered with the bounty of Ceres, no reaper could refuse her this
acknowledgment; and that the religious discharge of this obligation was
guarded by the belief, that if he ceased to offer this tribute of his
labour at the season of harvest, the field would not continue to yield
him the same abundant return.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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