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heads of leaves. A great variety of cultivated crops could be seen bordering the railroad.  Beans, taro, carrots, onions, & a few potatoes were the chief ones.  The fruit trees were very small, mere bushes.  Peaches & apple were the commonest and a few loquats.  Grapes & berries were not seen. I have never seen so highly cultivated a region as Japan.  It has a peculiar charm found [[cross out]] not [[/cross out]] in no other landscape.  The complete absence of cattle & horses was a marked feature; everywhere in the fields were men but no beasts.  I saw no chickens, pigs, dogs or domestic animals but there are some for eggs, milk, pork etc. is served at all the large hotels.  I saw no birds in the fields & gradens except a few swallows & crows.  The absence of animal life here is sad!