Abstract
There exists hight cool region in Central Japan, where various vegetables of good qualities are grown and the cultivation of these vegetables has made considerable development owing to the recent remarkable progress of transportation facilities. In these regions, with a cool climate in summer season, various kinds of vegetables such as Chinese cabbages, lettuces and cabbages are grown with the introduction of new method of farming to supply for demands in the markets in large cities. Southern Saku, Nagano Prefecture, is main vegetable producing district in these high cool areas. This area is situated at 1, 300 meters high above the sea level and beyond the altitudinal limit of paddy field.
The area has two principal producing districts; in one of these the agricultural field is formed on the terraces of the River Chikuma, and in the other, the field is formed on volcanic slope of Mt. Yatsugatake. The former is situated in the upper part of Valley Chikuma, and the inhabitants cultivate some kinds of vegetable. They used to get their income from forestry and sericulture and engaged inn an extensive cereal farming for self-sufficing. However, these cultivators at present are utilizing the fertile soil on the river terrace for producing various vegetables on intensive management. On the other hand, the soil on the volcanic slope consists of volcanic ashes or sterile soil, but settlers on clearing fields of Nobeyama are practising a mixed farming of vegetable growing and dairy farming. Thus they have changed the land into productive fields.
In order to carry the vegetables to the markets large expenses are required in packaging, conveying, commission, etc. Accordingly this new type of agriculture, which may be called appropriately truck farming, depends mostly to the high market-price of its products. Thus, in order to produce vegetables of high price, the cultivators must manage their farm land intensively, though their land lies remote from the centre of main markets. Each producing district has connection with markets in large cities, forming on “Economic Unit Region”.
