1929
The enormous possibilities for growing rice in the Soviet Far East are entirely linked to the use of Japanese kinds of rice distinguished by extreme standards of early ripening. There is no other country in the world where so much has been done for the study of rice as in Japan, although the majority of the studies have been published as monographs in Japanese. Insofar as problems concerning the standardization of the rice grains and the preservation of the germinating power of the rice, so important for the Far East, [1] have been elucidated by Japanese scientists, we have much to learn from the Japanese. [2]
Within the area of sericulture, the success of the Japanese is absolutely exceptional. Thanks to breeding, many very productive kinds of mulberry trees have been obtained. The selection of triploid races of silkworms, which to a great extent show gigantism, is of very great practical interest. The appearance of heterosis in the first generation of hybrids has also been utilized in Japan to a great extent with respect to the silkworm eggs themselves. Papers reporting studies of the numerous mutations of rice and the bud mutations of mandarin oranges are of extreme theoretical and practical interest.
Rice-growing regions in the former Soviet Union
Above all, Japanese science is the key to the study of ancient agricultural crops in southeastern Asia and of the original cultivation of plants and animals. The role of eastern Asia in the origin of domesticated animals and cultivated plants has not yet been evaluated in respect of its importance. Our studies during the last couple of years have demonstrated the enormous importance of China as a basis for the development of many vegetables, fruits and field crops. China holds the key to the solution of problems concerning the origin of the majority of vegetable plants, including many fruit trees as well as crops such as rice, soyabeans and millet. The selective potential of the variety of genes, forms and species is exceptionally high here. The largest number of cultivated species of plants is perhaps concentrated within southeastern Asia. Since China, with its amazing ancient crops, is more accessible to Japan (because Chinese characters are used in its literature) than any other country, there is no doubt that a better acquaintance with Japanese science would make it possible for science in general to cope with the crops of China and those of all southeastern Asia. [3]
Notes:
- The map, from the Interactive Agricultural Ecological Atlas of Russia and Neighboring Countries shows current rice-growing areas. Russia’s far east seems to be very poorly represented. Thanks to Robert Hijmans for making the map more legible. [↩]
- There is an All Russian Rice Research Institute, but it keeps out of sight. [↩]
- This is an interesting notion, that because Japan and China share elements of their writing systems, a knowledge of Japanese science might provide opportunities to better understand Chinese agriculture. I simply cannot judge whether this is valid. [↩]
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