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The lakes & ponds & rivers were without a single waterbird.  This is apparently due to persecution by the Japanese and lack of any sentiment for animals in the people.  The absence of pet animals is further evidence of this lack of sympathy.  I was much surprised by the great number of rivers we crossed in a country so narrow as this island.  We crossed a dozen large rivers shallow but with wide beds, 200 or 300 yards.  Everywhere there was water in the fields & the rice was submerged & just being planted.  In the fields were many men bare-limbed rooting about planting rice. A rank smell of fertilizer pervaded the air in many districts.  The fields are very fertile owing to fertilization & nowhere did I see idle or uncultivated ground.