The Shiodome Memorial Festival is held on February 9th every year in honor of Yatsushiro County Mayor Yajiro KOJO (1857-1912), who contributed to the development of the infrastructure of the Gunchiku District, a great man of the Meiji Era. Local people gather every year to remember the great achievements of their predecessors and to remember their gratitude. After the ceremony, there will be an exhibition of handicrafts and calligraphy by local students. Many people look forward to this event every year, as they also hold an exhibition of agricultural products. During the Meiji period, he directed a large-scale land reclamation project. He is still admired as the creator of Gunchiku, and thanks to his predecessors, tomatoes, melons, and rushes are grown on the vast farmland he created. The famous Yatsushiro Plain is a reclaimed land that was pioneered by Kiyomasa KATO, the first lord of the Higo Kumamoto domain, and greatly developed by Ryohei Kanokogi, the old man of Nozu Tenaga Soshoya during the Edo period. Even after entering the modern era, large-scale reclamation projects were developed. In 1900, the Gunchiku Land Reclamation Project was launched in the western part of Yatsushiro City on the coast. Gunchiku seems to be a word that indicates that Yatsushiro County is the main land reclamation project. It was completed in 1904, about five years after the start of construction. The total area is approximately 1,000 hectares. It is said that 300 households were initially settled. When Gunchiku Village was established in 1909, the reclaimed land was divided into 1st to 12th areas, and the fields and roads were arranged in a grid pattern. It seems that a total of six sluice gates were set up to separate it from the sea, with drainage channels for using water taken from the Kuma River.

Earl's melons from Kumamoto have strong vines and a well-stretched mask net, making them suitable as very delicious melons. As a rank, it is a middle-class melon. The quality is relatively good, so it can be used as a gift, and the price is relatively affordable, so it is perfect for eating at home. The Agricultural Cooperative Corporation Hachikyoren is a middle-class product in Kumamoto, with large balls containing 4 balls and medium balls containing 6 balls. Lily is the 2nd grade. There are very few 1st grade melons, and in fact, it is popular as a melon with an evaluation close to the 1st grade.

【Product name】

Hachikyo Earl's（Grade Lilium）

【Type】

Cucumis melo L.

【Wholesale land】

Gunchiku12ban Town, Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture (Agricultural Cooperative Hachikyoren, JA Kumamoto Economic Federation)

【Origin of name】

EARL'S Melon, Count's favorite meaning. It is derived from the fact that it was cultivated on a British aristocratic FARM.

【Major features】

About four years ago, in fiscal 2019, 45 farms cultivated 69 hectares of Tomatoes grown on the reclaimed land of Yatsushiro City. It is a production area that Kumamoto Prefecture can be proud of as a production area with stable quality. Medium Ball Tomato Rui 60 (ATM069) from Takii Seed Co., Ltd.: High quality wase medium ball seed with a fruit weight of about 60 g. The fruit shape is globose to waist high, and the fruit color is dark red, with a sugar content of 6 to 7 degrees. It has a moderate acidity and a particularly good taste. Approximately 8 fruits per cluster The number of fruits per cluster is about 8. Fruit clusters are centered on singles. Flowering plovers with thick peduncles. The flower quality is good, and the fruit is stable, so the fruit is good. Can be grown in all seasons. The plant has a pillar type, and the internode length is long. It is heat tolerant and cold tolerant and can be grown all year round. Disease resistance: Combined resistance to tomato mosaic virus Tm-2a, wilt race 1 (F1), race 1 (F2), leaf blight (Cf9), leaf spot (LS), Nematode nematode (N) nature. Agricultural cooperative corporation Hakkyoren established a research farm with an area of ​​about 30 square meters in 1992, and conducts quality inspections of tomatoes, research on cultivation, and test cultivation such as breed comparison.  Cultivation of medium-sized tomatoes began before 1987, and we have been comparing the yield, size, taste, etc. among varieties. As a result, the Takii cross "Louis 60" was introduced. "Louis 60'' is cultivated in 17 a out of 30a, and the remaining 13 a is used for the comparison of medium tomato varieties. Takii seed and seedling tomato rootstock "Volante" (F1 rootstock that is highly resistant to bacterial wilt (B) and corky root (brown root rot: K). In addition to bacterial wilt and corky root) , tomato mosaic virus (Tm-2a type), wilt race 1 (F1) and race 2 (F2), root rot wilt (J3), hemiwilt race 1 (V1), sweetpotato nematode (N) Combined disease and insect resistance. It is difficult to overgrow in the early stages of growth, stamina is maintained until the latter half, and cultivation is stable. Good germination, easy to graft seedlings. Scions can be Tm-2a or Tm-2 types. Uses ToMV disease-resistant varieties. The rootstock is easier to graft than scions, when grafting young seedlings, it is easier to graft 2 days in high temperature periods and 2 to 3 days in low temperature periods. The amount of nitrogen in the base fertilizer is based on its own roots. The standard is equivalent to cultivation.), with Bombus. “Gunchiku 2ban sluice（Agriculture sluice）” ; Triple arch type with a profound feeling of masonry（length 14.2 m, width 8.2 m）. Registered as a national registered tangible cultural property in 1998. Reclaimed land from two-thirds of the Yatsushiro Plain. Famous as one of the best reclaimed land in Japan. Nowadays, field maintenance and drainage channel maintenance are progressing : It will be one of the most productive agricultural areas in Japan. Rice cultivation, rush cultivation, institutional horticulture, etc. are carried out. Created by the reclamation project carried out by the Yatsushiro District at that time during the Meiji era. Due to the 1936 SURGE ; Due to the damage caused by the collapse of the embankment, reinforcement work was carried out from the following year. As the Yatsushiro Plain, it is one of the two remaining places and is valuable. It belongs to the large category, but it is made of stone instead of concrete. Now there is a made of steel door on the west side. The eastern side remains as it was when it was first built, and the remains and blueprints remain. The year of production is 1938. 郡築三番町 - “旧郡築新地甲号樋門 附・潮受堤防” : Important Cultural Property / Building Designated date, July 6, 2004. ABC ; 1,2 and 3, three sites were built in 1900. Currently, only the grade A issue Sluice Gate retains its original appearance. At that time, he was a Kumamoto engineer and later : Designed by Torao KAWAGUCHI, who became a professor at the former Fifth High School in Kumamoto. The basic structure is stone, but red brick is used for the arch. In particular, it features 10 continuous arches. It remains as an auxiliary facility since the construction of the new sluice in 1963. “Masonry tidal embankment”, 1 km north-south on the sea side remains. Historically valuable as a representative remains of the Yatsushiro Sea reclamation project. It is famous as one of the largest reclamation sites in the Meiji era that represents Japan. Length 31.8 m Width 8.3 m Sea Dike Overall length 1090.02 m. The year of production is 1900. September 2020, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization（UNESCO）: Intangible cultural heritage registration Yatsushiro Myoken Festival-in the Japanese Kamakura period, archery on horseback, called 'yabusame'. The mural is completed by the students of the interior department. Kumamoto Prefectural Yatsushiro Technical High School : Unveiled on the 13th of the same month. I want to cheer up the people who were disappointed by the cancellation of Covid-19 with pictures. “Mizushima Town”, It is called Manyo no Sato（Native Place）. It is famous as a small island that appears in Nihonshoki（Chronicles of Japan）and Manyoshu（Collection of Ten Thousand Leaves）. When Emperor Keiko came, there was no water when he ate. Then, when a person named ‘Ohidari’ prayed to God, it is said that the water came out. Left as an island outside the inning. Picturesque scenery the coastline curves to avoid MIZUSHIMA. The entire town is a land created by a reclamation project in the latter half of the Edo period. Country-designated scenic spot, designated date is February 12, 2009 : Mizushima = Uyanagishimo Town. Located at the mouth of the Kuma River, it is connected to the land at low tide. Osada no Okimi（長田（Nagata no）王 ; 摂津大夫）聞きしごとまこと貴く奇しくも神さびをるかこれの水島（巻3-245） ; As I heard from the legend, it's really good.It's strangely divine. 葦北の野坂の浦ゆ船出して水島に行かむ波立つなゆめ（巻3-246） ; Let's set sail through Nosaka no Ura in Ashikita and Go. Wave, never stand.（Taura Town, Ashikita Town, Ashikita County, Kumamoto Prefecture - Manyoshu Poetry Monument）“Yatsushiro City” : It is located about 40 km south of Kumamoto City, the prefecture's capital. It has an area of about 50 km from east to west, about 30 km from north to south, and an area of about 680 km2. The west faces Yatsushiro Sea, and the north is Yatsushiro District, Uki, Kamimashiki, and Shimomashiki. It borders Higashiusuki District in the east and Kuma District and Ashikita District in the south. It is divided into mountainous areas and plains by the “Hinagu fault scarp”.（It is estimated that the latest activity period for the Kouya-Shirahata section is after about 1,600 years ago and before about 1,200 years ago. The average activity interval is unknown, and it is possible that the amount of deviation during activity was about 2 m, mainly due to right lateral deviation. In the Hinagu section, the average activity interval may be about 36 million years to 11,000 years. New The activity period is estimated to be after about 8400 years ago and before about 2,000 years ago. Dislocation It seems that there was a relative uplift of about 3 m on the southeast side and a lateral shift to the right beyond that. It is possible that the Yatsushiro Sea section was active at intervals of about 11,100 to 6,400 years on average. New The activity period is estimated to be after about 1,700 years ago and before about 900 years ago. There is a possibility of the Higo earthquake in 744 AD (Tenpyo 16). It is estimated that there was a deviation of about 3 m during the activity, but the direction of the deviation is unknown etc.）About 70% of the total area is mountainous and about 30% is plain.In the mountainous area, Kunimi-peak (1,739 m) in Izumi town is the highest peak and forms the backbone area of the Kyushu Mountains. Examples of the hiding villages of the Heike no Ochiudo include Gokanosho in Kumamoto Prefecture and Gokayama in Toyama Prefecture. The city is dazzling with its history and natural scenery. The plains are rich in land formed by the Kumagawa River, one of Japan's three rapids, and the Hikawa River system. An alluvial plain centered on alluvial fans and deltas. In addition, it has a vast plain that has been reclaimed for many years. Utilizing these abundant resources, many agricultural products such as rush（Juncus effusus L. var. decipens Buchen.）and tomato are produced. In addition to the blessed natural conditions, the construction of seaside industrial land and the enhancement of port facilities were planned, and factories of large companies entered the market from early on. It is in the middle of developing as one of the prefecture's leading industrial cities. Developed Yatsushiro Port, the largest international trading port in the prefecture as an Asia logistics base. It is a key point for land and sea transportation. It is famous as an area with abundant nature, resources, and a high base of transportation. Kumamoto Prefecture faces the sea on the west side, and the rest of the mountains are lined up, so the climate varies from region to region. Around the Kumamoto Plain, summer is hot and winter is cold inland. At dusk in Summer, a phenomenon called “Higo evening calm” occurs, in which the area becomes calm. The Amakusa region has an oceanic climate, and the coastal area is famous as the northernmost point of coral reefs. There is a basin in the Kuma region in the south, and it seems that summers are hot and winters are cold. The Aso region surrounded by Asogairin mountain has a mountainous climate, and it is relatively cool in summer. In winter, the temperature drops to below freezing, and it seems that snow can be seen. Precipitation is high in Kuma and Aso, especially near Mt. Aso, reaching more than that in a year. This abundant rain brings water sources to various parts of the prefecture and provides vitality to moisturize the fields and people. In Prefecture, heavy rains occur during the rainy season, and heavy and torrential rains are likely to occur due to the hot and humid southwestern air currents coming from the East China Sea. “Agricultural producers' cooperative corporation Hachikyoren”, “Nakamura Family” Aims for Specialized Management of Protected Horticulture around 1961 : Established as a group of full-time farmers and then incorporated. “Earl's Melon”, Mesh pattern on the surface : The flesh grows faster, and the epidermis cracks and repairs it : It is known to have been formed by the exudation of cork liquid. Globose fruit, the flesh is a gentle yellowish green and fragrant. Also, juicy juice and sugar content tend to be high. Melon, which is cultivated in a greenhouse and has a strong aroma and sweetness, is called “Musk”. First prototype at Shinjuku Gyoen by Dr. Fukuba ; I heard that it was introduced in the 1897s. Since then, cultivation has become widespread, and it has been on the market since 1917-1918. EARL'S FAVOURITE other system : Make various improvements such as being resistant to illness and adapting to the environment : Many varieties are cultivated by crossing various Melons. Isolation bed cultivation facing the highest quality ; It is very different from the usual vegetable and fruit cultivation method : Raised on the cultivation floor of the population separated from the ground. Structure of aluminum frame filled with soil : It is possible to completely control the amount of water and fertilizer given. The producer of this excellent agricultural product is an eco-farmer certified person in Kumamoto prefecture. It is the nickname of a farmer who created a "plan for the introduction of a highly sustainable agricultural production method" based on the guidelines set by the prefecture, and the governor approved the plan. Based on the certified plan, eco-farmers will work on highly sustainable agriculture such as soil preparation, reduced chemical fertilizers and reduced chemical pesticides. The "highly sustainable agricultural production method" is a rational agricultural production method that is recognized as contributing to the maintenance and promotion of the productivity of agricultural land derived from the nature of the soil. As a soil preparation technique, it is a technique related to the application of compost and other organic materials, and is highly effective in improving the properties of soil. Input of compost based on soil diagnosis. Rice straw and wheat plow included. Green manure crop utilization technology. Reduction of organic matter by using grass. As a chemical fertilizer reduction technique, it is a technique related to the application of fertilizer and has a high effect of reducing the application of chemically synthesized fertilizer. Local fertilization technology, fertilizer effect controlled fertilizer application technology, organic fertilizer application technology, and other prefecture-specific technologies (simultaneous irrigation fertilization technology, etc.). As a chemical pesticide reduction technique, it is a technique related to the control of harmful animals and plants and has a high effect of reducing the use of chemically synthesized pesticides. Hot water seed disinfection technology, mechanical weeding technology, animal utilization technology for weeding, biopesticide utilization technology, counter-plant utilization technology, resistant variety cultivation / rootstock utilization technology, heat utilization soil disinfection technology, light utilization technology, coating cultivation technology, pheromone Agent utilization technology, multi-cultivation technology, other prefecture-specific technologies {deep water cultivation technology, Maruhana bee utilization technology, transplant cultivation technology, circulation fan utilization technology, shallow cutting (deep cutting) branching technology, elevated seedling cultivation technology, ground surface residue incineration technology, Pre-planting flooding technology, etc. seems to be mentioned. Kumamoto Prefecture Agricultural Site Agri Kumamoto (June 2023): In the Yatsushiro area, spring melons (Earl's, Quincy, Higo Green, etc.) are cultivated on 55.9ha and shipped from late April to late June.  On April 25, just before shipment, a total of 79 people, including producers, transportation personnel, market personnel, JA, municipalities, etc., joined together to ship Yatsushiro region melons under the auspices of the Yatsushiro Region Tomato and Melon Sales Liaison Council. A conference was held. At the council, it seems that instructors explain the growth conditions to market participants in advance at producers' fields while they see melons that are about to be shipped. Many market participants seem to have realized that this year's melons are of better quality and taste than usual. At the meeting, the production area informs the market participants of the growth conditions and shipping plans, and the market participants report on the situation in the consumption area. Information sharing and lively exchanges of opinions between the production area and market participants will be held for the shipment and sales of Yatsushiro melons produced in 2023, and favorable sales are expected in the future. The Agricultural Extension and Promotion Division will continue to provide technical support for producers' stable production in cooperation with related organizations.

Earl's melon is especially popular with melon lovers because of its melting texture and rich sweetness. Among them, Earl's melon from Yatsushiro, Kumamoto Prefecture is famous for its high quality. The beautiful mesh that covers the fruits is wonderful. Since this excellent agricultural product grows faster in the inner flesh than in the epidermis, pressure is applied from the flesh and the epidermis cracks. The mesh seems to be a trace of fruit juice oozing out and repairing to prevent it from cracking. If the water, temperature, and humidity are properly controlled during cultivation, it seems that a beautiful, raised mesh will be created. The beautiful appearance is a testament to the farmers' constant efforts.

It seems that the original species of melon has been cultivated since about 2,000 BC, although it seems that the African theory and the Middle East theory are the theory. From there, the varieties that have been bred and made over Europe are Earl's Feborit Melon. This variety was born in England around the end of the 19th century. Earl of Radnorit means the Count's favorite, and it seems that the Count liked this melon grown on the farm of the Earl of Radnor in England. Cultivation began in Japan from the Meiji era to the Taisho era, and the aroma and taste peculiar to Earl's fit perfectly with the tastes of Japanese people, and cultivation became widespread. Also, it is a pure Earl's favorite type, and the Earl's melon cultivated in the isolated bed of the greenhouse is called "melon". Melon reigns as the finest melon in both fragrance and taste.

Earl's melons in Kumamoto prefecture have strong vines and well-tensioned mask nets, and are made into delicious melons thanks to the efforts of producers and the feelings of consumers. The quality is relatively good, so it can be used as a gift, and the price is relatively affordable, so it's perfect for eating at home. Agricultural cooperative corporation Hachikyoren is the middle class in Kumamoto, 4 pieces is a large ball, Yuri is the 2nd grade, the 1st grade is very few, and it is a melon with an evaluation close to the 1st grade.